Cactus Village Community

Change in Seat Belt Law . . . By CAO Karen Freund

Jul 10, 2003

Just thought you would all like to know about a new seat belt law that took effect on August 22, 2002.

It states that all passengers under the age of 16 must wear a seat belt while in ALL seating positions of vehicles manufactured for model year 1972 and later. Prior wording only applied to front seat passengers.

Under the current version all front seat occupants, age 16 and older, must have their seat belt properly adjusted and fastened. Each occupant may be cited.

All passengers, in any seating position, who are under age 16 (except for children in child restraints) must have their seat belt properly adjusted and fastened. The driver may be cited for EACH violating passenger.

Passengers, age 16 and older, who are riding unbelted in rear seating positions, are not in violation.

Keep in mind, although an officer will not stop you for one of these violations alone, you may be issued citations for each seat belt violation in addition to the one you were stopped for. . . ☺