Seat belts - who's in trouble?

Question

If a driver/owner of a car uses his/her seatbelt and a passenger in the back seat does not use a seatbelt, who's in trouble if stopped by police - the driver/owner?, the back seat passenger?, or both?

Answer 1

uk law

  FRONT

SEAT

REAR

SEAT

WHOSE

RESPONSIBILITY



DRIVER

Must be worn if fitted

-

Driver



CHILD UNDER 3 YEARS OF AGE

Appropriate child restraint must be worn

Appropriate child restraint must be worn if available

Driver



CHILD AGED

3 to 11 and under, 1.5metres (about 5 feet) in height

Appropriate child restraint must be worn if available.

If not, an adult seat belt must be worn

Appropriate child restraint must be worn if available.

If not, an adult seat belt must be worn if available

Driver



CHILD AGED 12 or 13 or younger child 1.5metres or more in height

Adult seat belt must be worn if available

Adult seat belt must be worn if available

Driver



PASSENGERS

over the age of 14

Must be worn if available

Must be worn if available

Passenger

Answer 2

It would be best to check with you local department of motor vehicles or call your local police department or try this site as well.

http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/...

Answer 3

It depends on the laws in your state. Where I live, seatbelts are only mandatory for back seat passengers if the passenger is under 16.

Answer 4

Here's the rule in CA -

You may not operate your vehicle unless you and all your passengers 16 years of age or over, or who weigh 60 lbs. or more, are wearing seat belts. If seat belts are not worn, you may be given a traffic ticket. Also, the driver will be given the ticket if a passenger, younger than 16, is not wearing his/her seat belt.

- Ref: CA Driver Handbook

N'uther words, the driver is responsible for securing the contents in and on the vehicle...That includes passengers and cargo.

Answer 5

In Utah, the driver gets the ticket. It is pretty stupid if you ask me.

Answer 6

Depends on the state you are in.... some say the driver because it is his responsibility to make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled.  Other states say the individual themselves will be ticketed.

Answer 7

The passenger,if the passenger is a young person(child) then the driver has a responsibility also.

Answer 8

Here, in California, if they are a minor the driver is responsible. Otherwise it's the person without a seatbelt, last I heard anyway.

Answer 9

It depends on the state...

Answer 10

It depends on what state your in but in most states its the driver. I don't think it matters who the owner is unless the car crashes.

Answer 11

I'm in Illinois and if it's a minor the driver gets the ticket.  If it's an adult they both get a ticket.