Seat belts protect us from being thrown from our vehicle, and even help the driver stay in control during a defensive maneuver. Statistics show that if you are thrown from your vehicle, your risk of death is five times greater. So why do people still insist on NOT wearing their seat belts when they drive?

Florida and other states have enacted seat belt laws to nudge drivers and passengers into wearing their seat belts – always. The Florida seat belt law applies to any car manufactured since 1968. It is against the law in the state of Florida to operate a car if all the passengers are not restrained in a lawful way.

• All passengers in the front seat must wear a seat belt.
• All passengers under the age of 18 must wear a seat belt.
• Children under 4 must be secured in a federally approved child restraint seat.
• Children ages 4 and 5 must be secured by either a federally approved child restraint seat or a safety belt.
• The driver of the car is responsible for buckling up any child, and ensuring that all passengers follow the law.

The cost for a seat belt violation in the state of Florida is $30. If a child is not properly restrained, the violation is higher at $60. It does not matter if you are jumping in the car for a short trip around the block, just got in the car, or other common excuses. Florida’s seat belt law says that you must always buckle up. Visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles web site to learn more about this Florida seat belt law and no fault insurance.