Is it illegal to not wear a seatbelt in WA.?

Question

My b/f and I are in a lil debate, and I can't find anywhere on the web that says its either legal or not, he says you don't have to and I say you do. Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

Yes, you have to wear one unless you actually are an illegal then you can get away with murder, as was the case in Hazelton Pa.

Answer 2

I have to assume from the question that neither of you have a driver's license yet, because this is one of the things you have to know to pass the test ... for example at the DMV or BMV or whatever, they have brochures with the rules for driving in that state, which you would have picked up to study so that you would pass the test.

Further this is not an academic arguement.
Car safety can mean the difference between you having a long fruitful life, or dying young, or getting mained in an accident. You need to learn about safety, irrespective of what the law requires, and conduct your life to maximize your safety and that of your loved ones.

Just imagine getting married to this guy, then him driving a car in which your children, your babies lives put at risk because he does not believe in seat belts.

You should not have to have this arguement.
Either both of you agree with each other on maximum safety behavior, or find other romantic partners.

Here's Washington state on both the regular seat belt laws, and also specific to child safety
http://www.800bucklup.org/parent/washingtons%20law.html

here is a chart of seat belt laws by state
note that not all states have these laws

http://www.iihs.org/laws/state_laws/restrain3.html

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/state_laws-belts04/safeylaws-states.htm

http://www.inventiveparent.com/state-laws.htm

I found it by going to search engine & keying in
seat belt laws

these sites show by state what the rules are
* do you have to wear in back seat for example
* do you need the over shoulder only in front seat
* what is the youngest age allowed in front passenger seat
* what is the age when a child can leave baby seat and use regular seat belt
* is there an age break when both driver and passenger get ticket for not wearing seat belt
* are there exceptions where some people not required to wear seat belt ... such as injured person being transported to hospital

Scroll down to Washington state to find that the seat belt law got passed June of 1986

There's lots other sites

Answer 3

It is the law, you have to wear a seatbelt or you'll get a ticket.

We just got home from a 6400 mile road trip. On the way home we saw a rollover accident in the center median of the freeway in Idaho. Both occupants in the vechicle were thrown out of the truck. One was a least 50 yards away from the truck. He died at the scene.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/100958.html

Just wear one, it only takes a second and can save your life!

Answer 4

Under the old law, failing to wear a seat belt could only be enforced as a secondary violation. An officer could only take enforcement for not wearing a seat belt if he/she had stopped the vehicle for another violation, such as speeding. In 2002, failing to wear your seat became a primary violation. Officers can now stop vehicles if they observe the occupant(s) not wearing a seat belt.

http://wsp.wa.gov/about/d3faqs.htm

I do know that motorcyclist must wear a helmet, my father in law has a Harley and told me that they have to but here in Phoenix, it's voluntary.

Answer 5

Seat belt use is mandatory in all 50 states. Technically such laws are state laws, but the Federal government uses highway funding to blackmail states into passing traffic laws. Setting 21 as the minimum drinking age and 0.08 BAC as legally drunk are 2 other 'state' laws set by Federal blackmail.

Answer 6

Yes, seatbelts are mandatory in WA.

Answer 7

It's illegal not to wear a seatbelt everywhere

Answer 8

No just stupid not to wear one