Illinois Seat Belt Law Reminder

Illinois is one of 30 states with a primary enforcement law; it allows officials to stop and cite a driver solely for not wearing a seat belt. Other states use secondary enforcement, meaning they issue a seat belt ticket only after pulling over the motorist for another offense.

Illinois is the latest state to require backseat passengers to buckle up. Twenty-five other states and the District of Columbia require all rear-seat occupants to wear seat belts, according to IIHS. All states except New Hampshire mandate belt use by front-seat occupants.

IIHS also notes that using shoulder belts in the backseat reduces the risk of a fatal injury during a crash by 44% in cars and 73% in vans and SUVs. Unbelted passengers also put others in the car in danger during an accident and increase the other passengers’ rate of injury or death by 40%.