Proper Use of Lap & Shoulder Seat Belts
- The shoulder belt should lie across the middle of the chest and the shoulder. The lap belt should fit snugly over the upper thighs.
- Most children are too small for seat belts to fit safely. If a child is using the seat belt and the shoulder belt rides too high and lies across his neck, he should be in a booster seat. Smaller children should ride in a car seat. The seat belts are then used to secure the car seat.
- Seat belt laws are divided into two types, primary and secondary. A primary seat belt law allows law enforcement officers to stop and ticket a motorist for not wearing a seat belt alone. A secondary seat belt law allows law enforcement officers to issue a ticket for not wearing a seat belt only when they have stopped a motorist for another offense, such as speeding. Primary seat belt laws have been enacted in 32 states, while 17 states have secondary seat belt laws. Only New Hampshire does not have a law requiring seat belt use by adults, although minors must wear them.
- The use of seat belts is the single most effective method of reducing crash related injuries. The state of New York's "Safe NY" website states that 21 percent of highway deaths happen to occupants of automobiles who are not wearing seat belts. This represents a higher percentage than those injured in accidents where alcohol or excessive speeds were factors.