<P> New York State passed the first law in the US mandating the use of seat belts in 1984 under the leadership of John D. States , an orthopedic surgeon who dedicated his career to improving automotive safety . Depending on which state a driver is in , not wearing a seat belt in the front seat is either a primary offense or a secondary offense , with the exception of New Hampshire , which does not have a law requiring people over age 18 to wear a seat belt . In the front seat , the driver and each passenger must wear a seat belt , one person per belt . In some states , such as New York , New Hampshire , and Michigan , belts in the rear seats are not mandatory for people over the age of 16 , though it is extremely advised . The driver and front - seat passengers aged 16 or older can be fined up to $50 each for failure to buckle up . In California , you must be 15 years or older to accompany the driver in the front seat . Children 14 and younger must sit in the rear seat until they reach the age of 15. Template : DMV.org </P>
<P> New York State passed the first law in the US mandating the use of seat belts in 1984 under the leadership of John D. States , an orthopedic surgeon who dedicated his career to improving automotive safety . Depending on which state a driver is in , not wearing a seat belt in the front seat is either a primary offense or a secondary offense , with the exception of New Hampshire , which does not have a law requiring people over age 18 to wear a seat belt . In the front seat , the driver and each passenger must wear a seat belt , one person per belt . In some states , such as New York , New Hampshire , and Michigan , belts in the rear seats are not mandatory for people over the age of 16 , though it is extremely advised . The driver and front - seat passengers aged 16 or older can be fined up to $50 each for failure to buckle up . In California , you must be 15 years or older to accompany the driver in the front seat . Children 14 and younger must sit in the rear seat until they reach the age of 15. Template : DMV.org </P>
when did it become law to wear seat belts
when did it become law to wear seat belts
1984
1984