Buckle up
Seat belts are your best bet.
Data trends
Washington is great at buckling up with a 93.3% seat belt usage rate in 2023.
Seat belt usage in the back seat is lower, with only 83% of passengers wearing them.
The law
Washington state law requires that everyone in a motor vehicle wears properly fastened safety restraint.
The Penalty
The fine for not wearing a seatbelt or appropriate child restraint is $136.
How you can help
Wear your seatbelt – it’s the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash.
Set an example – Make sure you wear your seatbelt around your friends and family. For parents, know that children are always and watching and learning from you.
Speak up – If someone in the car with you isn’t wearing their seatbelt, kindly ask them to do so. An uncomfortable conversation could save a life.
Discuss with family – Talk to your family about seatbelt rules, for example, leaving the car off until everyone is buckled.
Protect babies and young children – For car seats, make sure your child stays in each stage of restraint until they reach the maximum height and weight based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Many communities have certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians who can ensure car seats are being used properly.
Check your employer’s seat belt policy – Ensure they have measures to promote a safe, responsible workplace. If not, encourage them to create one with the help of our toolkit.
Child safety
Car crashes are a leading killer of children ages 1-13. Fortunately, using the right seat can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71%.
Following recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Washington’s Child Restraint Law helps ensure you’re using the right seat for your child’s age and size.
- Children up to age 2 must be properly secured in a rear-facing car seat.
- Children ages 2-4 years must ride in a car seat with a harness (rear or forward facing.)
- Children 4 and older must ride in a car or booster seat until they are 4’9″ tall.
- Children over height 4’9” must be secured by a properly fitted seat belt (typically starting at 8-12 years.)
Car seat inspection technicians can ensure your car seats are installed properly. To find a technician near you, visit wacarseats.com
Campaigns
Coming soon.
