Seat Belt Frequently Asked Questions

If I’m driving someone else’s child and the child does not want to wear a safety belt, am I responsible?
Yes, the driver is responsible for all persons younger than the age of 18 in the vehicle. All persons under age 18 must be properly secured in a child safety seat or with a safety belt no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle.
Can a person be pulled over simply for not wearing a safety belt?
No, this is not a primary offense in Virginia. However, if a driver is pulled over for a different reason, such as speeding or making an illegal lane change, the driver can also be charged with a safety belt violation if front seat passengers are riding unbuckled or if persons under age 18 are not properly restrained.
I’m always in a hurry and putting on a safety belt is such a hassle. Is it really worth it?
Yes, indeed. By not wearing a safety belt, you are 5 times more likely to be killed in a crash and 3 times more likely to sustain serious injuries.
My safety belt allows me to lean forward enough to adjust my car stereo. How do I know if it will protect me in a crash?
It may seem that your safety belt is not working properly. However, most safety restraints allow some controlled movement. To ensure your safety, check with your dealer to make sure that the safety belt is properly functioning.
If my safety belts are defective, will the manufacturer repair them at no cost?
In some instances the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can authorize repairs at no cost. Call the Auto Safety Hotline at (800) 424-9393 for more information.
I drive an older car with only a lap belt. Can I upgrade it to include a shoulder harness?
Some manufacturers provide kits to upgrade to lap belts to lap/shoulder belts. Contact the manufacturer or dealership for more information. Lap/shoulder belts provide greater protection than lap belts alone.
Do I need to wear a safety belt in a taxi or on a tour bus?
Safety should always be your number one concern. Take every opportunity to maximize your safety by always wearing a safety belt whenever available. Virginia requires that any passenger in a taxi wear a safety belt when sitting in the front seat.
Since the law says that not using a safety belt is a secondary offense, what are my legal responsibilities when riding in a taxicab?
You must wear a safety belt when you are seated in the front seat of a taxicab. By law, Virginians are not required to wear safety belts in the back seat of a taxi but should wear them, if available, to protect themselves in a crash.
If I’m traveling at slow speeds, won’t I be able to brace myself against the dashboard or steering wheel?
No. The force of the impact will increase your body weight to equal thousands of pounds. This force is so great that you won’t have the strength to brace against it. In addition, a crash surprises you, thus, you would not be prepared to brace yourself. So, play it safe. Always wear your safety belt.
How do I know if the safety belt fits properly?
The shoulder belt should fit snugly across the torso, never under the arm. The lap belt should fit firmly and low over the hips, not across the stomach area.
Is there a way to adjust the shoulder harness so that it’s more comfortable?
Most newer cars have knobs to adjust the height of the shoulder harness. Check your owner’s manual for more information.
How do I know if the buckle is really locked in?
All safety belts operate differently. Check your owner’s manual or with your dealership to make sure the buckle operates correctly. Always listen for the “click” when your buckle locks and give the belt a few extra pulls to be sure it’s tight.
Is there a law that requires me to wear a belt?
Yes. Virginia law requires drivers and front seat passengers to wear safety belts and to ensure that persons under age 18 are properly restrained.
As a driver, am I responsible for making sure that all passengers are buckled up, even adults?
Each adult passenger (18 and older) is legally responsible for himself. However, the driver should try to get all passengers to buckle up. As the driver, it is your responsibility to make sure that all persons under age 18 are properly restrained.
I’ve heard that some insurance companies will not cover car crash injuries if safety belts are not worn during a collision.
This is an area that seems to be changing, so check with your insurance company for their policy.
What do I need to do if I have a medical or physical condition that makes it impractical to wear a seat belt?
While seat belts are the best protection against serious injury in a crash, there may be a medical or physical condition that could be made more serious by wearing a seat belt. If a licensed physician determines that the use of a seat belt system would be impractical by reason of a medical/physical condition, the individual must carry on his person or in his vehicle a signed written statement of the physician identifying the exempted person and the grounds for exemption.