A system , comprising: a passenger restraining system comprising a restraint and a locking mechanism ; a proximity sensor set comprising a sensing component configured to emit a signal detected by a proximity sensor of the proximity sensor set, wherein the signal is communicated to a controller to initiate the locking mechanism into a locked configuration when the sensing component and the proximity sensor are below a threshold distance away from each other;_and a lighting system comprising a plurality of light sources, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light sources is integrated with the restraint and wherein the lighting system is configured to: receive an indication of a configuration of the locking mechanism, execute a first light scheme which emits light via the plurality of light sources when the indication is of an unlocked configuration, and execute a second light scheme which emits light via the plurality of light sources when the indication is of the locked configuration wherein the restraint of the passenger restraining system comprises an overhead restraining mechanism configured to fit over a head of a ride passenger, wherein the passenger restraining system is configured to exert a force having a vertical vector component providing a downward force on the ride passenger and a longitudinal vector component providing a longitudinal force against a torso of the ride passenger, wherein the plurality of light sources are embedded in the overhead restraining mechanism; and the locking mechanism is configured to block the restraint from rotating about the locking mechanism or configured to block the restraint from translating relative to the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is in the locked configuration. a passenger restraining system comprising a restraint and a locking mechanism ; a proximity sensor set comprising a sensing component configured to emit a signal detected by a proximity sensor of the proximity sensor set, wherein the signal is communicated to a controller to initiate the locking mechanism into a locked configuration when the sensing component and the proximity sensor are below a threshold distance away from each other;_and a lighting system comprising a plurality of light sources, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light sources is integrated with the restraint and wherein the lighting system is configured to: receive an indication of a configuration of the locking mechanism, execute a first light scheme which emits light via the plurality of light sources when the indication is of an unlocked configuration, and execute a second light scheme which emits light via the plurality of light sources when the indication is of the locked configuration receive an indication of a configuration of the locking mechanism, execute a first light scheme which emits light via the plurality of light sources when the indication is of an unlocked configuration, and execute a second light scheme which emits light via the plurality of light sources when the indication is of the locked configuration wherein the restraint of the passenger restraining system comprises an overhead restraining mechanism configured to fit over a head of a ride passenger, wherein the passenger restraining system is configured to exert a force having a vertical vector component providing a downward force on the ride passenger and a longitudinal vector component providing a longitudinal force against a torso of the ride passenger, wherein the plurality of light sources are embedded in the overhead restraining mechanism; and the locking mechanism is configured to block the restraint from rotating about the locking mechanism or configured to block the restraint from translating relative to the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is in the locked configuration. <EOS>