Idaho Seat Belt Laws 6/2010
What are the Idaho Seat Belt Laws?
Idaho law requires everyone in a vehicle to wear safety restraints. Other provisions under the law include:
- Adult violators, 18 and older, are subject to a $10 citation.
- An adult driver is ticketed for passengers younger than 18 who are not properly restrained.
- If the driver is younger than 18 and the driver or any occupant younger than 18 fails to wear a seat belt, court costs are added to the fine. The $10 fine and court costs total $42.50.
- A law enforcement officer can issue a citation solely for a safety restraint violation, even though it may not be the reason for the initial traffic stop.
- The actual Idaho code, 49-673, can be accessed online HERE.
Click It, Don’t Risk It! Campaign Quick Facts:
- Every day, five Idahoans are either killed or seriously injured in traffic crashes.
- The air bag/seat belt combination is 85% effective at reducing moderate and serious head injuries. Yet, 60% of Idaho’s motor vehicle fatalities involve a serious head injury as an immediate or contributing factor for the traffic death.
- Your seat belt is your best defense against an aggressive, drunk, tired, or distracted driver.
- In fatal crashes, 75 percent of occupants totally ejected are killed. Seat belts are effective in preventing ejections.
- A 30-35 mph crash is equivalent to a three story jump and impact into the ground.
- Eighty five percent of the medical costs for motor vehicle occupants injured in crashes are paid by others, and not the person who chose to not buckle up. These medical costs are paid primarily through taxes and your insurance premiums. Hospital costs are 55 percent higher for those not wearing seat belts. Don't be a burden on your friends, neighbors, and fellow Idahoans.
- ALL children under 12 years of age and less than 100 pounds should ride properly restrained in the back seat, and NEVER in front of an air bag.
Get more information
Online, go to: http://itd.idaho.gov/ohs/ClickIt/ClickIt2.htm to get more information about Idaho Seat Belt Laws and the Click It, Don’t Risk It! Campaign.