Click It or Ticket

Reasons to Buckle Up

  • Studies show seat belts do save lives and reduce injury during crashes.
  • Seat belts work with airbags to protect occupants. Airbags alone are not enough to safeguard occupants.
  • More than 2,000 unbuckled drivers and front-seat passengers died on New Jersey's roadways in the past 10 years.
  • Approximately 700 unbuckled drivers and front-seat passengers were thrown out of their vehicles during crashes and killed in the past 10 years.
  • Safety belts improve your chances of surviving a crash by 60%. Most crashes occur within 25 miles of home and at speeds under 40 miles per hour. 
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New Jersey's Seat Belt Law

39:3-76.2f. Seat belt usage requirements; driver's responsibility.

  • Applies to all passenger vehicles including vans, pickup trucks and SUVs, that are required to be equipped with seat belts.
  • All occupants are required to wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt system, when operated on a street or highway.
  • Children less that 8 years of age and weighing less than 80 pounds are required to be secured in a child passenger restraining system or booster seat (see more information under Child Passenger Safety Seat Inspection).

Penalties

If you are stopped for a violation and you and/or the front seat occupant is observed to be unbelted, you can receive a summons with a fine of $46 (for the first offense).

Exemptions

  • Those riding in passenger autos manufactured before July 1, 1966.
  • Those riding in passenger autos that don't require safety belts under federal law.
  • Those with physical or medical reasons verified in writing by a licensed physician.
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