Right here’s the dangerous information: in keeping with NHTSA, 51% of these killed in a automobile crash in 2020 had been unrestrained.

The excellent news is that automobile seats and seat belts are all the time accessible — all it’s a must to do is put on them correctly!

Because of this, right here, we’re going to concentrate on the New Hampshire automobile seat legal guidelines, in addition to the seat belt legal guidelines (DISCLAIMER! There are not any seat belt legal guidelines).

This manner, you not solely guarantee security for everybody, however you keep away from dealing with the penalties, too. 

So are you prepared?
Let’s get began!

Automotive Seat Legal guidelines in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, these under 18 years outdated are required to put on a seat belt or a booster seat.

As for youngsters under 7 years outdated, they have to be mounted in a toddler security restraint that’s really useful for his or her age and top. 

These legal guidelines are a bit imprecise, aren’t they?

Whereas the legislation doesn’t specify what to make use of, the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) has suggestions for optimum security.

Let’s go over these suggestions.

• For infants 1-3 years outdated, it’s a should that they’re positioned in a rear-facing automobile seat. That is so, if a collision occurs, the kid’s physique is absolutely protected. Simply be sure that to examine if the age and weight necessities of the automobile seat match your little one. 

• For kids 4-7 years outdated, place them in a forward-facing automobile seat. Be sure that it has a harness and your little one is throughout the producer’s automobile seat weight and top limits. 

• For kids 8-12 years outdated, use a booster seat that matches them completely. The seat belt on it ought to really feel cosy on their our bodies and is simply over the higher thigh. The shoulder belt ought to lie on prime of the shoulder and chest. 

• For teenagers 13-18 years outdated, they’ll already use a seat belt. Nevertheless, if it doesn’t snugly match them, it’s greatest to make use of a booster seat till they’re tall sufficient. 

Automotive Seat Penalties in New Hampshire

In the event you violate any of the automobile seat legal guidelines, you can be fined $50 on the primary offense. In the event you violate these legal guidelines a second time, the wonderful will likely be $100. 

Now, whereas these fines should not harsh in comparison with different states’ fines, this doesn’t imply which you could danger your little one’s security. 

At all times place your little one in the proper security restraint system. 

Seat Belt Legislation in New Hampshire

What about seat belts? 

We already noticed that, when you’re under 18 years outdated however older than 12, you might be required to put on a seat belt, whether or not you’re the motive force, within the passenger seat, or on the again.  

What about these 18 years outdated and above?

New Hampshire is the one state that doesn’t have a seat belt legislation for adults. 

That stated, you might be nonetheless extremely inspired to put on one. Bear in mind, sporting a seat belt reduces the possibilities of getting significantly injured or dying in a automobile crash. 

In fact, this suggests that you’re sporting the seat belt correctly:

• The harness is mounted tightly on the lock. 

• The harness feels cosy proper on prime of your physique. 

• The shoulder strap is throughout your shoulders and chest. It isn’t strapped behind the seat.

• The lap belt is positioned simply throughout the hips. It doesn’t fall to your thighs or on prime of your abdomen. 

Significance of Security Restraints

Why are automobile seats and seat belts essential?

Other than the truth that there’s already a statistic that 51% of those that died in a automobile crash didn’t put on security restraints, there are different the reason why it is best to put on them.

Let’s undergo these causes: 

• They forestall you from being flung out of the automobile in a giant collision. In case you are flung out of the automobile, chances are you’ll get critical accidents hitting different autos, bushes, or indicators on the highway. 

• Airbags should not there to maintain you seated. They solely forestall you from hitting the windshield or the dashboard. 

• A seat belt retains you in place, stopping you from hitting the edges of the automobile. 

• Automotive seats present additional safety to your little one since they may stay of their place throughout a collision. 

• Automotive seats preserve your youngsters from distracting you. Distracted drivers have a excessive probability of hitting anyone or one thing on the highway. 

Often Requested Questions

Obtained some questions on New Hampshire’s automobile seat and seat belt legal guidelines? Try these FAQs for extra info. 

Why does New Hampshire haven’t any seat belt legislation?

New Hampshire is the one state that doesn’t implement a seat belt legislation. 

And regardless of proposing a couple of seat belt payments, all had been shot down. 

The rationale?

It’s laborious to say. However folks argue that the federal government can not drive you to put on a seat belt. So possibly that is why the state’s legislators determined to disregard it. 

You put on your seat belt if you wish to guarantee security. You don’t put on your seat belt if you wish to danger your life.

It’s your selection. 

Can an 8-year-old sit within the entrance seat in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire doesn’t have legal guidelines prohibiting 8-year-olds from sitting within the entrance seat. That stated, we advocate putting their booster seat on the again for extra safety throughout a crash. 

Are folks within the entrance seat required to put on seat belts in New Hampshire?

There are not any legal guidelines requiring adults to put on seat belts, whether or not they’re in entrance or not. Nevertheless, if the individual is under 18 years outdated, they need to put on a seat belt, whether or not within the entrance and even the again. 

How outdated do it’s a must to be in a booster seat in NH?

The state doesn’t have a particular legislation mentioning that it’s a must to be a sure age to be in a booster seat. Nevertheless, the NHTSA recommends that 8 to 12-year-olds use a booster seat as seat belts may not snugly match them simply but. 

Conclusion

That was all you wanted to know concerning the New Hampshire automobile seat legal guidelines and (no) seat belt legal guidelines.

As you in all probability observed, the state isn’t too strict about security restraints. 

However if you wish to be a accountable and protected driver, then all the time use the right little one security restraint and seat belt. 

Bear in mind, it’s lives you’re placing in danger.