A new law in New York requires all drivers and passengers to wear a seat belt or risk getting pulled over by the police. After the success of that bill, safety advocates in New Jersey want the state to pass its own seat belt law. Currently, the state of New Jersey does not allow police officers to pull over a vehicle if they see someone without a seat belt.
What are the current seat belt laws in New Jersey?
According to the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, New Jersey’s seat belt laws have an “optimal” rating. However, New Jersey ranks lower than other states because it doesn’t have an all-encompassing seat belt law. Currently, officers can only ticket people for not wearing their seat belts if they pull over the vehicle for a separate violation.
Countless studies have shown that wearing a seat belt reduces your risk of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident. Despite this, many people still believe that it’s safe to ride in a vehicle without wearing their seat belt. A seat belt law like the one in New York could potentially save hundreds of lives every year. Increased seat belt laws could also reduce the number of personal injury lawsuits.
Have you been injured in a car accident?
Passengers are obligated to wear their seat belts just as much as drivers. If someone refuses to wear their seat belt, they could pose a danger to you and other people on the road. You could end up sustaining injuries even if you took the right safety precautions.