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July 10, 2014 by Greg Baumgartner
Texas laws regarding seat belt use are contained in Transportation Code Chapter 545. There are fines and penalties for failing to use seat belts and separate provisions dealing with the transportation of minors. Houston personal injury lawyers know that seat belts can make a big difference in some car crashes.
Texas law requires everyone in a vehicle to be belted. Adults and children, regardless of their position in the vehicle.
Riding in a car while it is being operated is an offense and not wearing your seat belt.
A fine can be not less than $25 or more than $250, but the real expense to people who fail to wear their seat belts is the cost of court and hassle factor.
For instance, Harris County lists their total window fine for seat belts – for adults at $ 125 and $185 if a minor is not secured.
As many drivers understand, wearing a seat belt is vital to ensuring safety while on the road. However, while this is generally common practice, individuals should also consider the law regarding seat belt usage. Houston has some dangerous roads, and being belted is vital.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, as per the Transportation Code Chapter 545, the first thing to consider is child safety seat systems. According to the law, the driver must ensure that children younger than eight years of age, unless the child is taller than 4ft 9in, must be secured with a safety seat system.
A child safety seat system includes car seats, no matter the type, and also refers to the restraints designed to keep the child within that seat.
To this extent, a child passenger safety seat system is “an infant or child passenger restraint system that meets the federal standards for crash-tested restraint systems as set by the National Highway Safety Administration.”
As one can imagine, seatbelts ensure that the probability of injury or wrongful death is significantly lessened in an unforeseen accident.
However, the violation would be considered a misdemeanor if a child is not properly secured in a safety seat.
Not only does this affect one’s driving record, but it is also punishable by a fine, not less than $25 and no more than $250.
Car seat laws in Texas are in place to ensure the safety of children traveling in motor vehicles. The laws in Texas outline the type of car seat required based on the child’s age, weight, and height. Failing to comply with these laws can result in fines and penalties. Here is everything you need to know about car seat laws in Texas.
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) outlines the following types of car seats required for children:
Seat belt- Children who have outgrown their booster seat should use a seat belt that fits properly.
The following are car seat requirements in Texas based on a child’s age:
Older children should always wear seatbelts correctly for several important reasons. First, children aged 10 to 12 may meet the height and weight requirements for car passenger seats. However, the seatbelt might still fit uncomfortably on their bodies. This discomfort can cause children to move the seatbelt to unsafe positions. They might place it across their stomachs or under their arms instead of properly across their shoulders. Such improper adjustments significantly increase the risk of severe injuries during an accident.
Wearing a seatbelt correctly is very important for older children. It offers the best protection and safety during a crash. Seatbelts are made to spread the force of a crash across the body’s strongest areas, like the shoulders and hips. This helps lower the risk of serious injury. When worn incorrectly, however, seatbelts fail to provide this optimal protection, leaving children vulnerable to various harm.
Wearing seatbelts correctly also shows a good example for younger children. They may be watching their older siblings or friends. Younger children often look up to older children as role models. If they see older children wearing seatbelts properly, they are more likely to learn and adopt safe behaviors. By always using seatbelts, older children can build good habits. These habits will keep them safe and help others too.
Overall, older children need to wear seatbelts correctly on every trip. Doing so minimizes the risk of serious injuries, reinforces the importance of proper seatbelt use for younger children, and ultimately promotes a culture of safety and responsible behavior on the road.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 2.3 million adults were treated in emergency rooms because of car accidents in 2009. Estimated costs are over $70 billion annually for crash-related injuries and death.
Some not-so-surprising factors are that seatbelt use can reduce the severity of injuries and the likelihood of a fatality by over one-half. Many people do not wear seatbelts because they have airbags in their vehicles. Airbags are great extra protection but are not designed as a substitute for a safety belt.
The largest groups of people who do not wear seatbelts are those adults aged 18 to 34. Additionally, women are much more likely to wear seatbelts than men.
Texas has done an admirable job in both enforcing seat belt laws and educating the public, which is a major step in reducing unnecessary injuries from accidents.
The “click it or ticket” slogan has proven very effective in letting people know that not wearing a seatbelt is against the law and can result in a fine.
Resources:
For more information about car seat laws in Texas, visit the Texas Department of Transportation website at https://www.txdot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-campaigns/child-passenger-safety.html.
You can also find information about car seat safety and installation on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website at https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats.
Please buckle up!
Baumgartner Law Firm was founded in 1985 to offer the highest quality representation of accident victims. Our personal injury attorneys have a track record of success and are widely regarded as among the best Texas personal injury attorneys.
If you have been injured in an accident in Houston, TX, and need help, contact our Houston car accident attorney at Baumgartner Law Firm by calling (281) 587-1111.
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy
Houston, TX 77069
(281) 587-1111
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https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/seat-belts
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Since founding the Baumgartner Law Firm in 1985, Greg Baumgartner has established himself as a leading personal injury attorney in Houston, Texas, with a focus on representing severely injured accident victims and families who have suffered the loss of a loved one. His commitment to excellence in legal advocacy has earned him recognition from prestigious organizations, including Super Lawyers and the Top 100 Trial Lawyers and others. With decades of experience, Greg is consistently peer-reviewed and holds a preeminent rating, reflecting his dedication to achieving justice for his clients.
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