How is the penalty for not wearing a seatbelt in the co-driver seat of a car in 2021?
2 Answers
For cases where traffic police on-site find the co-driver not wearing a seatbelt, or when the electronic violation monitoring system captures the co-driver not wearing a seatbelt, a fine will be imposed, along with criticism and a demand for rectification. In addition to penalties for the co-driver, other passengers who fail to properly fasten their seatbelts as required will also be fined, although no demerit points will be deducted. The following are the new road traffic regulations: 1. Drivers not wearing seatbelts will be deducted 2 points, while passengers not wearing seatbelts will be fined. 2. When a vehicle is traveling on a highway, passengers not wearing seatbelts as required will be fined. For vehicles traveling on urban roads with speed limits below 50 km/h, if passengers fail to use seatbelts as required but correct the behavior immediately after being pointed out, they will receive a verbal warning.
I've been driving for almost 20 years and often remind passengers in the front seat to fasten their seat belts. According to the 2021 traffic regulations, failing to wear a seat belt in the co-driver's seat can result in a fine of 50 to 200 yuan, and sometimes the driver may also be penalized with 1 to 3 demerit points, depending on the enforcement by local traffic authorities. I once witnessed a friend being pulled over by traffic police in the city and fined 150 yuan with 2 demerit points—it's really not worth it. Seat belts significantly reduce the risk of severe injuries in collisions, so developing the habit of buckling up as soon as you get in the car is crucial. Consider seat belt reminders as both a courtesy and a safety awareness practice—don’t wait for a fine to regret it. With rapid technological advancements, some new cars now come with smart reminder features, which are worth exploring. In short, safety comes first, and fines are just a minor loss.
