ALBANY – An expansion of New York State’s seat belt law requiring everyone in the backseat to buckle up goes into effect next week.
Currently, the law requires anyone over 16 to wear seat belts in the front seat only. Those under 16, however, legally have to wear a belt in every seat of the car.
Starting November 1, anyone over the age of 16 must now wear their seat belt in the back seat.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts reduce the seriousness of crash-related injuries and deaths by almost half.
Although the new law goes into effect on Sunday, law enforcement leaders want to ensure drivers and passengers will receive a grace period for tickets. Additionally, warnings and eventual enforcement will only happen after a car is already pulled over.
When enforcement does roll out, the passenger who didn’t buckle up will be the only one given a ticket for a maximum of $50.
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