A Look at Arizona Seat Belt Laws

Even though it has been shown time and again that seat belts save lives, not every state has a law on the books, mandating the use of seat belts for everyone in a vehicle. New York State for example, requires that all passengers younger than 16 years of age wear a seat belt regardless of where they are sitting in the car. Passengers over 16 are only required to wear seat belts if they’re sitting in the front of the car. But what are Arizona’s seat belt laws and what do you need to know about them as a driver and passenger?

Arizona Seat Belt Laws Are Secondary Enforcement

A majority of the United States, including the aforementioned example of New York, have seat belt laws that are categorized as primary enforcement. That is to say, if a police officer sees that you’re not wearing a seat belt in one of these states, the officer can pull you over and give you a citation for it. In Arizona, seat belt laws fall under secondary enforcement; an officer can not pull you over for failing to wear your seat belt but could still write you a citation for it if you commit a primary enforcement offense like running a red light or speeding. It should be noted however that a primary enforcement rule does apply to children under the age of 5 and requiring them to use a booster seat or other form of safety seat.

What Seat Belt Rules Fall Under A Secondary Enforcement?

If you were pulled over by a police officer for something other than a seat belt offense, the law is clear on what you could be cited for regarding the restraints. Any occupant under the age of 16 must be wearing a seat belt, no matter which part of the car they’re sitting in. Anyone 16 or over is not legally required to wear a seat belt if they’re sitting in the back of a vehicle but everyone in the front of the car, regardless of age, must be wearing a seat belt. Again, these laws are only enforced if an officer detects them while you’re committing another offense and the cost of the fine for the violation is $10. On a side-note, interestingly enough, there are no laws in Arizona regarding riding in the back, cargo area of a pick-up truck. That being said, if you are injured in an accident while you are riding in such a position, you may want to consult a personal injury attorney regarding your case.

Law Or Not, You Should Still Buckle Up

Wearing your seat belt is incredibly important to not just your own safety, but others as well. If you’re sitting in the back of a car and not wearing a seat belt when an accident happens, your body can be thrown forward, into the driver or front seat passenger. A situation like this can be incredibly dangerous for everyone involved, resulting in death or serious injury. Just because a law isn’t primarily enforceable, doesn’t mean it should be ignored. You can’t put a price on your own safety, or the safety of those who are traveling with you. Make sure you and your passengers buckle up.

Accidents Happen: Call ELG Law

We can do our best to ensure the safety of ourselves and others, but sometimes we’re still at the mercy of those around us. Whether you’re wearing your seat belt or not, you can still be injured in an automobile accident, and the party responsible for your accident should be held accountable. Call ELG Law for a free consultation at 623-321-0566 and let us hear the circumstances of your case. A seat belt can help protect you from injury in a car, but we can help protect your interests in the court room

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