Florida law requires all drivers, all front-seat passengers, and all passengers under 18 to wear a seat belt at all times. This applies in every vehicle except certain older models and a few narrow exceptions. The rule is strictly enforced, and not wearing a seat belt can result in a traffic citation and may even affect your ability to recover compensation after a car accident. Florida also has a primary enforcement system, which means law enforcement can pull you over solely for failing to buckle up.
Florida’s Seat Belt Rules Explained
Once you know the basics, it helps to understand how the law works in real situations. Florida Statutes § 316.614 outlines the full set of requirements:
- Drivers must buckle up whenever the vehicle is moving
- Front-seat passengers age 18 and older must also wear a seat belt
- All passengers under 18, front or back seat, must be properly restrained
- Children under 4 must be in a federally approved car seat
- Ages 4–5 require a booster seat or integrated child restraint
- Drivers are legally responsible for making sure minors are secured
These rules generally apply on all public roadways unless specified otherwise.
Primary Enforcement and Penalties
Florida’s primary enforcement system means an officer can stop a vehicle based on a seat belt violation alone. Penalties can include:
- A monetary fine (varies by county)
- Court costs
- Points added to your driving record if a child is unrestrained
- Possible insurance consequences
A single citation can potentially raise your insurance rates, meaning it is simply not worth the risk to try and skirt the law in this area.
How Seat Belt Use Can Affect Your Personal Injury Claim
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, but seat belt use could still impact your legal claim after a car or truck accident dramatically — contact a truck accident attorney in Fort Myers to get the legal help you need. If your injuries meet the threshold that allows a liability claim against the responsible driver, they may try and raise the seat belt defense to reduce the amount they have to pay you. This argument claims your injuries were made worse because you weren’t buckled at the time of the crash.
If the defense is successful, your compensation can be reduced under Florida’s modified comparative negligence statute.
Examples of how insurers may try to use the defense include:
- Arguing you would not have hit the dashboard
- Claiming your head or chest injuries were avoidable
- Suggesting your medical bills are higher due to non-use
An experienced Fort Myers personal injury lawyer can gather medical records and expert opinions to counter these arguments as best as the law and facts allow.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Florida for a Free Consultation if You Need Help
Seat belts reduce the risk of life-threatening injuries, but they also protect your ability to recover full compensation after a crash. Buckling up is one of the simplest ways to safeguard yourself physically and legally.
If you’ve been injured in a Florida car accident and have questions about how seat belt laws may affect your claim, contact Garvin Injury Law for a free consultation at (239) 277-0005 or message us online.