Seat Belt Myths & Facts.

Myth: I don’t wear safety belts anymore, now that I have a car equipped with airbags. It is not necessary.
Fact: Airbags are designed to be used in conjunction with safety belts. Airbags work once and only in frontal collisions. Airbags will not help in side, rear end, or rollover crashes.

Myth: I buckle up most of the time, but I am just going to the corner store a few blocks from my house.
Fact: Crashes occur most often within 25 miles of home.

Myth: The safety belt wrinkles my clothes.
Fact: After going through the windshield, you won’t be worried about your clothes!!!

Almost every state has a law requiring the use of safety belts by adult drivers and passengers in motor vehicles. About half of states allow a law enforcement officer to make a traffic stop based solely on a seat belt violation (meaning that enforcement of seat belt laws is “primary” in those states), while the remaining states require that a law enforcement officer make a traffic stop for a different reason, such as speeding, before the seat belt law may be enforced (meaning that enforcement can only be “secondary” in those states).

The traffic laws in some states consider seat belt violations as non-moving violations requiring payment of a fine only (similar to a parking ticket). Other states, in addition to imposing a fine, treat a seat belt violation as a moving violation which shows up as “points” on a driving record, and the offense may lead to increased automobile insurance rates.

It is important to stay informed of the current laws so that you are not cited by authorities for a violation that could have been avoided. 

If you get a ticket for a seat belt violation and the court approves you, you can take a state approved defensive driving course. This has many other advantages like possible point reduction, and possible discounts for auto insurance.