ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve answers viewer questions about the rules of the road, helping Florida residents become better drivers by being better educated.
When it comes to seatbelt safety, Florida law is clear — but many drivers and passengers still don’t realize exactly who is required to buckle up.
Front seat:
All front-seat occupants, regardless of age, must wear a seatbelt. This applies to both drivers and passengers.
Back seat:
Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a seatbelt no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle — front or back. Adults over 18 riding in the back seat are not legally required to buckle up, but safety experts strongly recommend it. In a crash, an unbuckled backseat passenger can become a projectile, endangering everyone in the vehicle.
Children:
Florida has specific laws for young children:
- Children under 4 years old must be secured in a crash-tested, federally approved child safety seat.
- Children ages 4 to 5 must be in either a car seat or booster seat, depending on their size and weight.
- Children under 5 should never ride using only an adult seatbelt.
Seatbelts reduce the risk of death and serious injury in a crash by nearly 50%. Whether you’re driving your family to the store or riding in a rideshare across town, taking a few seconds to buckle up could save your life.
Safety starts with you — buckle up, every time.
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