Car safety is very important in today’s world. With the advent of technology, the mass production of cars, and the number of drivers on the road, individuals must protect themselves from the increasing possibility of an Auto crash or any other fatal vehicular accident. Car manufacturers are developing ways to make cars safer if an accident occurs. These safety features are airbags, traction control, antilock brakes, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitors, telematics, and Wearing a Seatbelt Become a Law? The Three-point seatbelt is the most important safety feature in a car and is more important than the antilock brakes, airbags, and other safety features. The three-point safety belt is Y-shaped and it protects the driver from sudden movement during a fatal collision and crash. Drivers need to have this working at all times in their vehicles. In this article, we will see about ‘When Did Wearing A Seatbelt Become A Law?’.
When Did Wearing a Seatbelt Become a Law?
Seatbelts are lifesaving items for drivers all over the world. Many people did not use to wear their seatbelts before and this resulted in a lot of car accidents in places where cars are used. It was however discovered that wearing a seatbelt reduces the risks and damages to humans during a car crash. The seatbelt was tested and then car companies began to install the 3-point seatbelts in cars. It then became mandatory to Wearing a Seatbelt became a law and the number of fatalities in an accident reduced drastically. In 1968 the first seatbelt regulation came into effect.
Seatbelt Laws in States in the United States of America
Yes, the seatbelt laws came into effect on the 1st of January, 1968, and car manufacturing companies had to have seatbelts installed for drivers. However, the laws weren’t completely implemented. State governments in the United States had to enforce these laws in their states on their residents, and this happened differently in the different states. They all did not enforce the seatbelt laws at the same time. The state government enforced its laws in different years.
S/N | State | Year |
1. | Alabama | 18th July 1991 |
2. | Alaska | 12th September 1990 |
3. | Arizona | 1st January 1991 |
4. | Arkansas | 15th July 1991 |
5. | California | 1st January 1986 |
6. | Colorado | 1st July 1987 |
7. | Connecticut | 1st January 1986 |
8. | Delaware | 1st January 1992 |
9. | District of Columbia | 12th December 1985 |
10. | Florida | 1st July 1986 |
11. | Georgia | 1st September 1988 |
12. | Hawaii | 16th December 1983 |
13. | Idaho | 1st July 1986 |
14. | Illinois | 1st January 1988 |
15. | Indiana | 1st July 1987 |
16. | Iowa | 1st July 1986 |
17. | Kansas | 1st July 1986 |
18. | Kentucky | 15th July 1994 |
19. | Louisiana | 1st July 1986 |
20. | Maine | 26th December 1995 |
21. | Maryland | 1st July 1986 |
22. | Massachusetts | 1st February 1994 |
23. | Michigan | 1st July 1985 |
24. | Minnesota | 1st August 1986 |
25. | Mississippi | 1st July 1994 |
26. | Missouri | 28th September 1985 |
27. | Montana | 1st October 1987 |
28. | Nebraska | 1st January 1993 |
29. | Nevada | 1st July 1987 |
30. | New Jersey | 1st March 1985 |
31. | New Mexico | 1st January 1986 |
32. | New York | 1st December 1984 |
33. | North Carolina | 1st October 1985 |
34. | North Dakota | 14th July 1994 |
35. | Ohio | 6th May 1986 |
36. | Oklahoma | 1st February 1987 |
37. | Oregon | 7th December 1990 |
38. | Pennsylvania | 23rd November 1987 |
39. | Rhode Island | 18th June 1991 |
40. | South Carolina | 1st July 1989 |
41. | South Dakota | 1st January 1995 |
42. | Tennessee | 21st April 1986 |
43. | Texas | 1st September 1985 |
44. | Utah | 28th April 1986 |
45. | Vermont | 1st January 1994 |
46. | Virginia | 1st January 1988 |
47. | Washington | 11th June 1986 |
48. | West Virginia | 1st September 1993 |
49. | Wisconsin | 1st December 1987 |
50. | Wyoming | 8th June 1989 |
Hampshire is the only state in the United States of America that does not have seatbelt laws for adults. However, children below the age of 18 years are required to.
Seatbelt Offenses in the United States
Drivers and their passengers are advised to put on their seatbelts while driving. This is to avoid fatal accidents. However, a few non-abiding drivers or motorists still prefer to defy the law. There however are penalties for individuals that choose this path of defiance. These offenses and penalties defer from state to state.
There are primary offenses and the secondary offenses
1. Primary Offense
Primary offense allows police officers to ask drivers to pull up and issue if they are not wearing their safety seatbelts.
2. Secondary Offense
For the secondary offense, police officers are not allowed to stop drivers because they are not wearing their seatbelts. However, if a driver is pulled up for another offense or violation and he or she is not wearing a safety belt then they would be given a ticket for this offense.
Conclusion
It is important to obey these laws at all times. It just takes one mistake or one unfortunate incident for a crash or collision to occur. It does not have to be the fault of the driver for an accident to take place. In the event of an accident, no person wants to be caught without being safeguarded. Individuals should obey these laws not just for their safety, but for the safety of their families.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What State Has Secondary Offense Seatbelt Laws?
- Arizona.
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wyoming
- What State Has the Highest Ticket Fee For Not Wearing A Seatbelt?
For Primary Offense: Connecticut
- Individuals above 18 years – $92
- Individuals below 18 years – $120
For Secondary Offense: Missouri
- Driver – $50
- Passenger – $10