The seatbelt plays one of the most pivotal roles in your vehicle’s safety features, so if you get a seatbelt ticket, you should know that this can influence your insurance rates in more ways than one. Keep in mind that a seatbelt ticket is considered a conditional ticket, which means that you won’t necessarily get pulled over for forgetting to wear a seatbelt.
In the case of a seatbelt ticket, the police officer in question would have pulled over the driver for another traffic violation, such as speeding or running a red light. The officer will then write the driver a seatbelt traffic ticket, and if you are found guilty, you can get a fine.
However, the negative effects of an unpaid seatbelt ticket don’t stop with just the fine. It can easily translate into higher auto insurance rates and license suspension if you fail to pay the said ticket.
What are the Consequences of Getting a Seatbelt Ticket?
A seatbelt ticket may not seem like much, but the fines and consequences can be a lot more than you originally thought. In fact, you have to pay the fine if you are found guilty of violating the law, while you can also be sentenced to a fine or jail time.
You could go to jail for one day up to a year, or pay a fine of $25 to $250. You can also have your license suspended or revoked, as well as your registration suspended, which ranges between 90 to 180 days. Generally, here is a list of ramifications you may deal with when you have a seatbelt ticket:
- Court Fees – In addition to paying the fine, you will have to pay the court fees as well, regardless of your state.
- Negative Points on Your Driving Record – Your driving record will reflect that you have been found guilty of violating a seatbelt law, regardless of the extent of the fine or a license suspension.
- Non-Moving Violation – A non-moving violation is something you can’t ignore, especially if you don’t want to get a ticket higher than a seatbelt ticket. Remember, just because the violation isn’t considered moving in nature, it doesn’t mean it can still lead to a higher ticket, such as something more serious.
- Drivers License Suspension – Although your traffic ticket may not be a moving violation, a seatbelt ticket may still be considered as one, which is why your license may get suspended for up to 60 days.
- Higher Insurance Rates – Depending on your state, you may be fined, which can translate to higher insurance rates as well.
Can Passengers be Issued with a Seatbelt Ticket?
Generally, no one can get issued with a seatbelt ticket except for the driver of the vehicle, but some states do allow passengers to be issued with a seatbelt ticket. There are different consequences for the driver and passengers depending on the state where you received the ticket.
The Bottom Line: Preventing Seatbelt Tickets and Preserving Your Insurance Rates
It is important to remember that driving safely in compliance with the law is paramount in preserving your insurance rates. A lot of people don’t realize the importance of wearing a seatbelt until they get into an accident.
If you want to save money on your car insurance, then it is best to remember to wear your seatbelt at all times, as this is one of the simplest ways of avoiding extra fees.
How Can We Help You?
After a vehicular accident, there are a plethora of repairs that need to be done for your car. One of the most important is to ensure that you restore the safety of your vehicle — that’s where Safety Restore comes in.
We are the leading post-accident restorations company specializing in seat belt repairs and airbag module reset. Besides that, we also provide webbing replacements and instrument cluster repairs.
You can trust us with your safety — get in touch with us today!
