Beginning Oct. 1, a new rear seat belt law will go into effect, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Sept. 27.
According to Lamont, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), and AAA, the new law would require all passengers to wear a seat belt, regardless of where they are sitting in a vehicle.
“Connecticut was one of the first states to pass a mandatory seat belt law more than 30 years ago, however it only applied to drivers and front-seat passengers,” Lamont said. “I applaud and recognize the efforts of those lawmakers and safety advocates who pushed for passage of this lifesaving measure for more than 20 years. With this new law, passengers and drivers in Connecticut will be safer.”
Existing law required only passengers under 16 to buckle up. The new occupant protection law mandates that all passengers in the back seat wear seat belts, regardless of their age. Statistics from the state show that between 2017 and 2020, the state saw more than 12,500 rear seat injuries, and 61 fatalities.
“Our goal is zero fatalities,” Joseph Giulietti, CTDOT commissioner, said. “Unrestrained passengers in the back seat can become projectiles in the event of a crash, causing serious injuries or fatalities. This new law will aid in our ongoing effort to reduce motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries. With an increased number of adults riding in the back seats with ride sharing services, this new law is a lifesaving measure for all Connecticut residents on our roadways.”
The new law is secondary enforcement which means a driver can’t be pulled over for an unbelted adult in the back seat. But, if law enforcement officers pull over a car for another offense, like speeding, the officer can issue a fine for an unbelted passenger. The fine for unbelted rear seat passengers is $50 if the driver is 18 or older and $75 if the driver is under 18.
“The Connecticut seat belt laws are specifically tailored to protect 16 and 17-year-old drivers, who statistically are more likely to become involved in a collision,” Colonel Stavros Mellekas, commanding officer of the Connecticut State Police, said. “Our troopers will be working enforcement to increase public awareness of the value of seat belt use. The overall goal is increased safety on all Connecticut highways. It takes about three seconds to buckle up. Take the time to save your life or the life of someone else.”