Beginning October 1, 1997, Maryland initiated the PRIMARY SEAT BELT LAW. This new law means that police officers will be able to ticket drivers and/or adult front seat passengers for not wearing a seat belt.
Covers all motor vehicles:
- Registered in Maryland as a Class A (passenger), Class E (truck), Class F (truck tractor), Class M (multipurpose), or Class P (passenger bus) vehicle or the same types of vehicles registered in another state; and
- Required to be equipped with seat belts under federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Who is covered by the law?
The law covers the driver and the front seat passenger next to the door, each or both of whom may receive a ticket for not wearing a seat belt. For example:
- In the case of neither the driver nor the front seat passenger are buckled up - each of them will receive a ticket for $25.00.
- In the case where neither the driver nor the front seat passenger (15 years of age or younger) are buckled up, the driver will receive a ticket for both. A $25.00 adult fine for the drivers and a $48.00 fine for the front seat passenger (15 years of age or younger). The $48.00 fine is covered under the provisions of the child passenger safety law.
Not covered by the law are:
- Those who have a written certificate from their doctor stating a medical reason for not using their seat belt.
- Drivers and passengers of Class L (historical) motor vehicles.
- Children younger than 16 years of age, in all seating positions, in all vehicles, already are covered by Maryland's Child Passengers Safety Law.
The Maryland law changed on October 1, 2003 in regards to child safety seats:
"The new law says that a child younger than six years (regardless of weight) or who weighs forty pounds or less (regardless of age) must ride in a correctly used child restraint system that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards when in a vehicle registered in the state of Maryland. A child riding in a vehicle registered outside Maryland must continue to meet Maryland’s current law, which requires use of a child restraint system if a child is younger than four years or weighs forty pounds or less."
A person may not transport a child younger than16 years of age unless the child is secured in: a child safety seat or a vehicle's seat belt in all seating positions in all vehicles.
A child younger than 16 years may not ride in an unenclosed cargo bed of a pick-up truck.
Please remember that it is very important that all children be properly secured in child safety seats and seat belts. Buckle up our children - follow our law!
Questions? Call Maryland Kids in Safety Seats at 1-800-370-SEAT or Maryland State Highway Administration at (410) 787-5822.
