Seat belt laws are divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary seat belt laws allow law enforcement officers to ticket a driver or passenger for not wearing a seat belt, without any other traffic offense taking place. Secondary seat belt laws state that law enforcement officers may issue a ticket for not wearing a seat belt only when there is another citable traffic infraction.
Specific laws vary greatly from state to state, depending on the age of the rider and in what seat he or she is sitting. This page covers seat belt laws for adults and young adults only. For requirements for infants, toddlers, and children, see GHSA's Child Passenger Safety Laws chart.
A PDF chart of state seat belt laws is available for download here.
NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on adult seat belt laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office.
Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices.
New Hampshire has enacted neither a primary nor a secondary seat belt law for adults, although the state does have a primary child passenger safety law that covers all drivers and passengers under 18.
n/a
n/a
Secondary
9 and over
All
Secondary; Primary for occupants under 18
All drivers; passengers 18 and over
Front Under 18: All (primary enforcement)
18 and over
All
Secondary; Primary for occupants under 18
Secondary
18 and over
Front
Secondary; Primary for occupants ages 8-17
8 and over
8-17 yrs: All (primary enforcement)
Secondary
8 and over
8-14 yrs: All (primary enforcement) 15 and over: Front
Secondary; Primary for occupants under 18
18 and over
18 and over: Front Under 18: All
Secondary
6 and over
All
Secondary
18 and over
Front
Secondary
6 and over
All
Secondary; Primary for riders ages 8 through 15
8 and over
8-15 yrs: All (primary enforcement) 16 and over: Front
Secondary
13 and over
All
Secondary
7 and over (primary law for drivers under 18)
All
Front
Secondary
16 and over (primary law for under 18)
Secondary
8 and over
8-15 yrs: All 8 and over: Front
Primary
8 and over
All
Primary
8 and over
8-17 yrs: Front
Primary
Over 16 or over 4'9"
All
All riders
Front
Primary
Primary
Drivers and passengers over 16
All
Primary
7 and under who are over 57" 8 and over
All
Primary
16 and over
Front
Primary
8 and over
All
Primary
8 and over
All
Primary
9 and over or 57" and over
Data not available
Primary
All riders
All
Primary
13 and over
Front
Primary
Over 6
All
Primary; Secondary for rear seat occupants
16 and over
All
All
Primary
All riders
Primary
18 and over
All
Primary; Secondary for rear seat occupants
7 and under and more than 57 inches tall 8 and over
All
Primary
7 and over
All
Primary
7 and younger and over 57 inches 8 and over
All
16 and over
Front
Primary
Primary; Secondary for rear seat occupants
16 and over
Under 16 yrs: All 16 yrs and over: Front (secondary enforcement in rear seat)
Primary
18 and over
All
Primary
13 and over
All
Primary
7 and under and more than 57 inches 8 and over
All
Primary
14 and over
14-17 yrs: All 18 and over: Front (other seating positions are secondary enforcement)
Primary
All riders
Front
Primary
16 and over
All
Primary
16 and over
All
Primary
8 and over
All
Primary
All riders
All
8-17 yrs: All 18 and over: Front
Primary
8 and older
Primary
6 and over
6-17 yrs: All 6 and over: Front
Primary
16 and over
All
Primary (civil penalty)
16 and over
All
Primary
8 and over
Front
16 and over
All
Primary
Primary
15 and over
Front
Primary
16 and over
All
Primary
15 and over
Front (secondary enforcement in rear seat)
Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 8,730 people were killed on U.S. roadways in the first quarter of 2021 – a 10.5% increase from the same period last year.
Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 8,730 people were killed on U.S. roadways in the first quarter of 2021 – a 10.5% increase from the same period last year.
"It's mind-boggling and extremely frustrating to see the tremendous loss of life from Covid compounded by preventable traffic crashes," says Pam Shadel Fischer, a senior director for the Governors Highway Safety Association.
"The sheer number of fatalities can be tough to contemplate," said Adam Snider with the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). "Every single digit in that very large number is a mother, a brother, a neighbor, a faith leader, a friend. It is someone...that has passed away too early."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2021
CONTACT: Adam Snider, 202-580-7930
202-365-8971 (after hours)
Statement by Pam Shadel Fischer, Senior Director of External Engagement, Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)
In anticipation of busy roadway travel this summer many State Highway Safety Offices (SHSO) and their partners have launched initiatives aimed at increasing roadway safety and avoiding collisions and fatalities, according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
Memorial Day weekend is one of the deadliest times on the nation's roads. And as you hit the road for the holiday weekend, police are hitting the roads too.
Story by Nick Minock
May 27, 2021
