New Seat Belt Law in North Dakota Aims to Save Lives and Reduce Injuries

I and several of my friends have some work to do. Beginning August 1, 2023, North Dakota will implement a crucial change to its seat belt law. Moving from a secondary to a primary law, this new regulation aims to increase seat belt usage and ultimately save lives on North Dakota roadways. So, are you buckling up? You should be because we are 13 days in so far!

Under the new North Dakota Seat Belt Law, which took effect on August 1, all occupants in both the front and back seats must be buckled up, regardless of age. Children under the age of eight must be secured in a child restraint system such as a car seat or booster seat. This comprehensive approach ensures the safety of all individuals traveling in vehicles across the state.

The shift from a secondary to primary law holds significant benefits. In states with primary enforcement, law enforcement officers have the authority to stop and issue a seat belt citation to anyone found not wearing a seat belt, even without any other traffic violations. This proactive approach has been shown to increase observed seat belt use by 10-12% according to research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

North Dakota expects road injuries and deaths to drop by increasing seat belt use. Seat belts are one of the best ways to protect yourself in a crash. The primary seat belt law shows the state's dedication to traffic safety and public health.

North Dakota hopes this law will promote safe and responsible driving. The state seeks to make seat belt use a habit by making it mandatory. Seat belt use saves lives and prevents injuries, benefiting North Dakota communities.

So, that means we must learn about the new seat belt regulations and get in the habit of putting it on. Remember, buckling up helps make our roads safer for everyone. You can click here for more information.

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