Seatbelts save approximately 15000 lives every year

A clean driving record usually results in lower insurance rates. When a driver is ticketed for not wearing a seatbelt, especially in a state that considers not wearing seatbelts to be a moving violation, they may see a rise in their insurance rates. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) usage rate of seatbelts was a high 89.6% in 2018, saving an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017. In the same year, 37,133 Americans died in car crashes, 47% of the occupants killed were unrestrained.

Some states have stricter seat belt laws under which the driver of the vehicle will be receiving a ticket even if a passenger is not wearing a seatbelt. It is not the increase in car insurance rates that most people should be worried about, but the loss of opportunity to avail a “Good Drivers Discount”, which could give a driver a chunk of savings on their car insurance rates. This could be up to 15% of the total car insurance cost. For drivers who already have other traffic violations on their driving records, driving without buckling could be expensive. A history of traffic rule violations could lead to a 20% increase in car insurance rates.

Not wearing a seatbelt could also affect the claim amount that the insurance firm would pay the individual when an accident claim is filed.

The following infographic shows the key statistical benefits of wearing seatbelts.

After paying the ticket, drivers also have the option of going to Traffic school to get the ticket of their driving record immediately, an online traffic school charges $50 for the same. Some insurance firms also have a “First offense forgiveness” policy by which they won’t increase an individual’s car insurance premium the first time they have committed a minor violation.