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In New York state, all drivers and adult passengers must wear a seatbelt. Children are also required to use a safety restraint device, such as a car seat, booster seat or seat belt. Seatbelts are best worn snugly across the hip and upper thigh and over the shoulder but clear of your neck or face. Statistics show that proper use of seat saves lives.
Not only is the use of a seat belt a good idea for safety, but New York state law requires it. In fact, New York is a "primary enforcement" state, which means that police officers can issue traffic tickets to individuals for failure to wear a safety belt or failure to properly restrain a child under the age of eight in a child safety seat.
No one plans on getting into an accident. But if an accident does occur, a seat belt can protect you by preventing you from being ejected from the vehicle - and even save your life.
Which Child Safety Seat is Best?
The type of child safety seat needed varies based on the age and size of your child. Federal guidelines provide specifications that manufacturers of child safety seats must follow to ensure parents have the information they need when choosing the right safety seat for their child.
In New York, it is illegal for a rear-facing child safety seat to be located in the front passenger seat. Typically the safest place for a child under the age of 12 is the back seat. Although it is not against the law in New York to place your child in a forward-facing safety seat in the front seat of your car, it is not recommended due to the potential for injuries if the child is struck by the airbag during a crash.
Penalties for Seat Belt Law Violations
Failure to comply with the seat belt laws in New York can lead to fines. A driver of a vehicle with an unrestrained passenger over the age of 16 can be fined up to $50. However, in situations where the unrestrained passenger is under the age of 16 the driver of the vehicle can be fined up to $100 and three points will be recorded on the driver's license upon conviction.
New York state follows a point system for drivers. A driver who receives more than 11 points in 18 months faces license suspension by the Department of Motor Vehicles upon a hearing. Suspension results in the loss of driving privileges. The points are assessed as of the date of the violation.
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