Many people may consider the new seatbelt laws to be unnecessary in Virginia, but they face fines if all passengers are not wearing their seatbelts. There will be a new law requiring adults to wear a seatbelt even when they are not driving the car.
Everyone above 18 in the car must wear a seatbelt while sitting in the back, too, from July 1.
Not following the rules will end up causing a $25 ticket. The new rule comes in light of several accidents that have caused death in the past. The common denominator has been not wearing a seatbelt. A woman who lost her son in a backseat car crash also partnered with the DMV to bring awareness and change in the law so that no one suffers like her.
Newly graduated Chris King died in a car accident as his mom says it was one time he did not wear a seat belt and ended up losing his life. Her campaign with the Virginia DMV is famous as “Click it to Ticket,” emphasizing the need for buckling up on the road for your safety. More than 50% of people killed in car crashes are not buckled up, and it becomes a major cause of their death.
A new law going into effect in Virginia is aimed at keeping you safer on the road by bringing awareness to something we may often overlook.https://t.co/uqoxk6LGLQ
— 7News DC (@7NewsDC) May 26, 2025
She remembered how Chris was thrown from the car from the backseat as the driver ran them at 80 miles per hour. Had he been wearing the seatbelt, it may not have been fatal. The new legislation is called the Christopher King Backseat Law. It will be used to update the current Virginia Code for all passengers above 18 to wear the seatbelt.
Before this, adults who were travelling in the backseat did not need to buckle up. However, if anyone gets caught not wearing the seatbelt from July 1, will end up getting a civil fine, as reported by The Sun. The ticket will be issued during the stops; meanwhile, the officers will not be pulling you over for this. It’s best to follow the rules that rely on accident statistics to ensure you travel safely on the road. In case you get fined, you must pay them to the state treasury, crediting them to the literary funds.
Almost 24,000 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in crashes in 2023 — and nearly 50% of those who died were not buckled in.
Seat belts save lives. Click It. Don’t Risk It. pic.twitter.com/Ag8Aryud8D
— nhtsagov (@NHTSAgov) May 20, 2025
It has already been observed that wearing a seatbelt can reduce the risk of death by 45%. This is a significant number, proving seatbelts are truly a lifesaver in a potentially fatal accident. The introduction of this new rule is to make the roads safer for everyone.
Moreover, the chance of getting a ticket will put people in the habit of wearing seatbelts at all times. It’s not about the discomfort of less mobility in the vehicle, but wearing the seatbelt will bring a sense of safety when needed. The main goal of this initiative is to reduce the fatalities that come from not buckling up in the vehicles.
