Buckle Up for Utah Seat Belt Law

Here at Ipson Law Firm, we take seat belt wearing seriously. Find out why it really is important to wear a seat belt and exactly what the Utah seat belt laws are. 

Utah Seat Belt Laws

In Utah, the Utah driving code is clear: “The operator of a motor vehicle operated on a highway shall: wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt.” This law doesn’t just apply to the driver, but the passengers too, all of whom are legally required to wear seat belts. 

When wearing a seat belt, you also have to position it correctly. No matter how you’re sitting, your seatbelt has to be worn over the shoulder, across the chest, and across your lap. Utah seat belt law is not a joke—failure to wear a seatbelt can result in a $45 citation.

Not only is it the law, but wearing a seat belt is good sense. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) reports that “of the 22,215 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2019, 47% were not wearing seat belts.” Wearing a seat belt drastically reduces your chances of fatal or serious injury in car accidents. Don’t risk it—buckle up when driving. 

Child Seat Belt Laws in Utah

Utah child seat belt laws are slightly different from adult seat belt laws. Infants and small children who are too little to wear just a seat belt need the additional support of a car seat to be safe. The age of the child determines what kind of car seat or booster the law requires. 

Let’s examine the specific requirements per age range according to the Utah Department of Public Safety: 

• Children 0-12 months
  • Rear-facing car seat 
• Children 1-3 years
  • Rear-facing car seat, then transition to forward-facing car seat
• Children 4-7 years
  • Forward-facing car seat, then transition to a booster
• Children 8-12 years*
  • Booster & seat belt 
  • *From age 8 years old, children may begin transitioning out of a booster but are required to continue wearing a seat belt. 

Always make sure the manufacturer’s instructions approve your car seat or booster for your child’s age, height, and weight. The Utah Safety Council has plenty of helpful information about child seat belt laws in Utah if you would like to know more.

Benefits of Seat Belts

The benefits of wearing a seat belt really can’t be understated. Seat belts save lives and protect from injury. Let’s look at some facts and statistics from the NHTSA about the benefits of seat belts: 

• In 2017, Seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives and could have saved an additional 2,549 people if they had been wearing seat belts.
• Wearing a seat belt in the front seat of a car reduces your risk of fatal injury by 45%
• Wearing a seat belt in a truck reduces your risk of fatal injury by 60%
• You shouldn’t just rely on airbags alone. In fact, if you aren’t wearing a seat belt, airbags can cause more damage or even kill you.

As you can see, wearing a seat belt should never be optional. It’s critically important for your health and safety. 

Get Legal Representation Today from Compassionate Lawyers Who Care

It’s just not worth it to ride without a seat belt. It’s so easy to wear a seat belt, and the risks are much too high when you don’t. You can’t predict the future, but you can protect yourself from potential injury or death just by buckling up. 

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a vehicle accident, don’t suffer in silence. There are lawyers ready to defend you and help you get the justice you need. 

Contact the experts at Ipson Law Firm today to get the representation you deserve.