Understanding Federal Seatbelt Laws

If you drive in the United States (or ride in motor vehicles), it is important to know and understand federal seatbelt laws. Wearing your seatbelt is a key factor in saving lives, but you can also get a ticket in some cases if you or your children are not buckled in correction. In addition, there are seatbelt laws surrounding seatbelt design what a manufacturer must provide to motorists.

These laws are meant to protect you. Know the law! If you’ve been injured due to seatbelt failure (or other seat failure problems), use this form to contact a lawyer for free advice today.

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State laws, like those in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, often dictate the rules of the road, as many seatbelt failure problems and laws are regulated by state government. That said, there are still some overall federal laws that you should know regarding seatbelt problems. Here’s what you should understand about seatbelts in regards to federal law:

• As of September 2007, manufacturers must provide three-point seatbelt design for all passenger seats. Prior to that, the rear middle seat was only required to have a lap belt, and even earlier, all back seats were only required to have lap belts. This seatbelt design requirement is meant to prevent seatbelt failure and other injuries due to seatbelt problems. Federal law gives you the right to contact a lawyer is you have been injured due to seatbelt failure. Use this form to contact someone about your experience today!
• As of 2007, 25 states allow officers to pull you over and give you a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt. In 24 of the remaining states, officers may give you a ticket if you’ve been pulled over for something else and were not wearing a seatbelt.
• Children need to not only wear their seatbelts – they also need to be in a special car or booster seat. In 11 states this is required up to age four, in 6 states this is required up to age 5, in 16 states this is required up to age 6, in 6 states this is required up to age 7, and in the remaining states (as well as in Washington, D.C.) this is required up until age 8 or older. Regardless, the safest place for a child under 16 is in the back seat.

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In the United States, federal law does not control most seat belt laws. Instead, this control to set laws is given to the states themselves. So, depending on where you live, your laws may be more or less lenient. However, no matter what the laws, be proactive about seatbelt safety. Wear your seatbelt correctly every time your drive or ride somewhere, and remind your passengers to as well. Of course, if you’ve experienced seatbelt problems due to malfunctions, talk to a lawyer today. Use this form to help bring faulty seatbelt manufacturers to justice.

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