How many points will be deducted for not wearing the seat belt in the front passenger seat on the highway in 2021?
2 Answers
2021 highway front passenger seat belt not fastened deducts 2 points. When driving a motor vehicle, the front passenger, driver, and passengers should all fasten their seat belts as required. Penalty standards for not wearing seat belts: When driving on the highway, if the driver does not use the seat belt as required, a fine will be imposed and 2 points will be deducted; when driving a motor vehicle on urban roads with a speed limit below 50 km/h, if the passenger does not use the seat belt as required and corrects it immediately after being pointed out, an oral warning will be given. Article 51 of the Road Traffic Safety Law: When a motor vehicle is in motion, the driver and passengers shall use seat belts as required, and motorcycle drivers and passengers shall wear safety helmets as required.
Having driven for many years with frequent highway trips, regarding the issue of the front passenger not wearing a seatbelt, there was no change in 2021. The driver won't get demerit points if the front passenger isn't belted—a common misconception. Regulations only penalize the driver's own behavior, such as deducting 2 points for the driver not wearing a seatbelt. However, if the front passenger or rear passengers aren't belted, only the passenger is fined, typically ranging from 20 to 100 RMB, with minor regional variations. I've personally witnessed accident scenes where an unbelted front passenger hit the windshield during sudden braking, causing injuries ranging from scratches to fractures or even fatalities. At highway speeds of 120 km/h, even a minor collision can be dangerous. I recommend drivers proactively remind passengers to buckle up—forming this habit avoids fines. Safety should always come first; don't risk trouble to save a few seconds.