Of course, the worst outcome of non-compliance would be a crash in which a driver or passenger is seriously injured or killed because of not being buckled up. Drivers are responsible for themselves and for all children less than age sixteen in the front or back seat. Front seat passengers ages sixteen and older are responsible for themselves and would get the ticket rather than the driver. The law requires the proper use of whatever seat belt system the seating position provides. Vehicles equipped with air bags also provide lap and shoulder belts that must be worn.
Some vehicles have automatic shoulder belts with lap belts that are fastened manually.
These manual lap belts must be used for compliance and for maximum protection. Children and youth less than age sixteen are covered under the Child Passenger Safety Law. Children less than age sixteen must be buckled up in the rear seat as well as the front. Children under age five and less than 40 pounds in weight must be in properly used safety seats, appropriate for their weight, installed in the rear seat if the vehicle has a passenger side air bag. Children may be buckled in using a seat belt at the age of five or when they weigh at least 40 pounds.