Every day on Massachusetts roads, seat belts save lives. They only take a few seconds to fasten, but this device has helped prevent numerous injuries and fatalities since they became a required feature in passenger vehicles.
However, seat belt laws in our state can be somewhat perplexing. What happens if you get caught without one? Who’s responsible if back-seat and front-seat passengers aren’t wearing a seat belt, and who doesn’t need to buckle up?
This article will clarify everything you need to know about Massachusetts seat belt laws. Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers will cover the essential information to keep you safe and legal on the road.
- Why Safety Belts Are Important
- Belt Usage Statistics
- Are You Breaking Seat Belt Laws by Not Wearing a Seat Belt in Massachusetts?
- Get a Free Case Evaluation
- Who Has to Wear Seatbelts in Massachusetts?
- What’s the Fine for Not Wearing a Seat Belt in Massachusetts?
- Can Police Make a Traffic Stop Just for No Seat Belt in Massachusetts?
- How Massachusetts Is Improving Seat Belt Enforcement
- Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for a FREE Legal Consultation!
- 30-Day, Risk-Free Guarantee
Why Safety Belts Are Important
Safety belts are total lifesavers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, seat belts reduce the risk of death for front-seat passengers by 45% and serious injury by 50%.
When you’re in a car, both you and the vehicle move at the same speed. When a collision occurs, the car stops suddenly, but your body will naturally keep moving forward.
A seat belt spreads the impact out over the stronger parts of the body, like the chest and hips. Without one, crash forces would hit a single spot, like a head, which may eventually hit the windshield.
And you don’t even have to drive fast to experience dangerous forces. Even a quick stop at a comparatively low speed creates enough force to cause a moderate to critical injury. Your safety belt is designed to handle these forces whenever you make a sudden stop, not just in a car accident.
Modern safety belts are actually quite clever. They remain loose while you’re driving normally but lock immediately when they detect sudden movement.
And, of course, seat belts can also help you save money. Get caught driving without a seat belt and get a fine. Yet, fines are nothing compared to potential medical bills and other expenses a vehicle crash implies. Additionally, many insurance companies consider safety belt usage when processing claims. Our Boston car accident lawyers frequently see cases where this single factor significantly affects the settlement amount.
Belt Usage Statistics
The NHTSA reported that the national seat belt use rate reached 91.9% in 2023. Fortunately, most Americans take this safety measure seriously. But here’s a tough truth: in 2022, half of the people who died in car crashes weren’t wearing a seat belt.
Among crash survivors, 85.54% were wearing a seat belt, while only 14.46% weren’t using them.
Men are less likely to wear safety belts. Among those who died in crashes, 54.19% of male passenger vehicle occupants were unrestrained, compared to 41.28% of female occupants.
The time of day significantly affects survival rates. During nighttime crashes, 57.06% of fatalities involved unrestrained occupants, whereas this figure was 42.71% during the daytime.
When it comes to Massachusetts car accident statistics, the state has made gradual progress in seat belt use over the past ten years. While Massachusetts seat belt usage rose from 73% in 2012 to 80% in 2023, it remains below the national average.
However, the increase in seat belt usage is influenced by more than just laws and enforcement. Local communities can also achieve meaningful changes in road safety, and a recent initiative in Brockton has proven this point.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation collaborated with local organizations like the Cape Verdean Association and Haitian Community Partners to create a social campaign that could resonate with Brockton’s diverse residents.
They put up billboards in different languages all over town and even painted a giant 74-foot mural that captured passersby’s attention. This boosted seat belt use from 42% to 72% in just five months in 2024.
Are You Breaking Seat Belt Laws by Not Wearing a Seat Belt in Massachusetts?
Yes, not wearing a seat belt is illegal in Massachusetts. The law is enforced as a secondary violation, meaning you can only be ticketed for it if stopped for another reason. While there are some exceptions to seat belt laws, which we’ll discuss later, the general guideline is that all drivers and passengers are required to wear a seat belt.
The fines for violating seat belt laws are relatively low compared to other traffic violations. However, these fines can accumulate if passengers don’t wear seat belts. The seat belt law is especially strict when it comes to young passengers. If you’re driving with children who aren’t properly restrained, you’ll be the one facing penalties.
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Who Has to Wear Seatbelts in Massachusetts?
As we’ve mentioned, while all drivers in Massachusetts generally must wear seat belts, there are exceptions to seat belt laws. In this section, we’ll examine which drivers don’t have to buckle up.
We’ll also outline the seat belt laws for kids, as there are special requirements that depend on their age and height.
Drivers
According to Section 13A of the Massachusetts General Laws, you don’t need to wear a seat belt if:
- You’re driving a motor vehicle made before July 1966. Belts were not federally mandated in passenger vehicles before this date.
- You have a medical condition that makes it difficult to use a seat belt. In this case, you must have appropriate documentation; a doctor needs to provide a note explaining your condition and the reason for not using a seat belt. The law protects doctors whether they give or refuse to provide these notes.
- You’re a taxi driver, livery service driver, emergency vehicle operator, driver of heavy trucks over 18,000 pounds, and bus driver. However, passengers in these vehicles may still be required to wear seat belts.
- You are a U.S. Postal Service rural mail carrier while performing your job duties. However, you must still comply with your department’s (the U.S. Postal Service’s) specific regulations regarding safety restraints and crash protection.
- You own an antique car with a side-facing seat that didn’t come with factory-installed safety belts. They are incompatible with modern seat belt installation.
Still, even if you fit into one of these exemptions to seat belt laws, wearing a seat belt is always the safer choice.
Passengers
All passengers in Massachusetts are required to wear safety belts. This includes both front-seat passengers and back-seat passengers who are over the age of 13.
The seat belt laws are especially strict for child passengers. Kids who are under eight years old or under 57 inches tall must be secured in proper child restraints. These car seats must comply with federal safety standards, and they should have a sticker on them that shows they meet the U.S. Department of Transportation’s requirements (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213). Parents must also install these seats according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Once kids outgrow the booster seat rules (which means they’re over eight years old and taller than 57 inches), they still require special care. At this stage, they must use regular safety belts, which should be adjusted according to the instructions of a vehicle manufacturer. This requirement remains in effect until the child reaches the age of 13.
Ensure the lap and shoulder belt fits properly: the lap belt should be snug across the hips, and the shoulder belt should cross the chest without touching the neck.
What’s the Fine for Not Wearing a Seat Belt in Massachusetts?
Here’s how the fines work: if you’re caught not wearing a seat belt, you’ll be required to pay a fine of $25. If passengers under 16 aren’t buckled in, the driver will incur an additional $25 fine for each one. Individuals who are 16 years old or older will receive their own ticket as they’re held accountable for their fine.
Nevertheless, receiving a ticket for not wearing a seat belt won’t impact your insurance rates. Unlike speeding tickets or other moving violations, seat belt violations don’t contribute to your driving record. Therefore, they won’t result in increased insurance premiums.
Can Police Make a Traffic Stop Just for No Seat Belt in Massachusetts?
An interesting aspect of the seat belt laws in Massachusetts is that police officers can’t stop you solely for not wearing a seat belt. This is referred to as “secondary enforcement,” and this distinguishes Massachusetts from many other states.
So, what does this imply? Police officers must observe a primary offense before citing someone for a seat belt violation. For instance, you may be exceeding the speed limit, having a malfunctioning taillight, or failing to fully stop at a stop sign. Other primary violations include driving without headlights, distracted driving, or running a red light.
These are all primary violations that provide police with a valid reason to stop you. After this, they can also issue a fine for not wearing a seat belt.
How Massachusetts Is Improving Seat Belt Enforcement
Safety specialists are advocating for stronger enforcement of seat belt laws in Massachusetts. Although our state currently follows secondary enforcement guidelines, the goal to improve our existing laws remains.
Some also suggest that adopting primary enforcement could significantly improve compliance rates. However, as of 2022, the compliance rate in primary-law states is only about 3% higher than in secondary-law states.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a strategy they refer to as “enhanced enforcement.” Police could either issue more tickets during traffic stops or they can assign additional officers to the streets to monitor seat belt compliance when they stop cars for other reasons.
In addition, as Brockton’s example has shown, any initiative works better when everyone knows about it. Another campaign, “Click It or Ticket,” was launched to inform the public that police are serious about seat belt laws. This campaign follows the logic: when people believe they might be penalized, they’re more likely to buckle up.
And we can already observe positive results. Research shows that better enforcement typically increases seat belt use by 16%.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for a FREE Legal Consultation!
Massachusetts seat belt laws, as well as overall road regulations, can be confusing. Our team has already helped thousands find their way through these legal complexities. Our team knows all the ins and outs of the state’s traffic rules, and, more importantly, we understand how these laws impact real lives.
We handle all types of injury cases. If someone’s negligence has caused you harm, our team is here to secure the maximum compensation you deserve. Our track record of recent settlements proves we know how to get results.
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