Is It a Violation to Wear a Seat Belt Under the Arm?
3 Answers
Wearing a seat belt under the arm is considered a violation and may result in fines and penalty points. If a passenger in the front seat is not wearing a seat belt and is spotted by traffic police, they will also be penalized. According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, when a motor vehicle is in motion, passengers in the front seat must use seat belts. Failure to wear a seat belt in the front seat will result in a fine. The front passenger seat is the most dangerous position in the vehicle, so even if it were not penalized, wearing a seat belt is essential for personal safety. The standard way to wear a seat belt: Hold the buckle and latch, slowly pull the lap belt across your waist, ensuring the shoulder belt crosses over the shoulder, close to the neck, and fits snugly and comfortably against the body. The lap belt should be positioned below the abdomen and as low as possible, also fitting snugly against the body. Then, insert the buckle into the latch until you hear a click.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've seen too many such cases. Wearing the seatbelt under the armpit is absolutely a traffic violation, and police will issue a ticket immediately if caught. The correct way is to have the shoulder strap snug against your shoulder. If placed under the armpit, during sudden braking or an accident, your body will lurch forward, causing the seatbelt to press against your ribs, potentially leading to internal injuries or worse. Once when I was in a friend's car, he lazily wore it this way, and after a rear-end collision, his sternum hurt for a long time. Everyone in the car should carefully check how they wear their seatbelts. Don't think a small mistake is harmless—it can be deadly. Regularly review the manual to refresh on the correct way to use the belt. Safety comes first.
As a parent, I'm extra cautious about my child riding in the car. Having the seat belt under the armpit is definitely a violation! The law requires proper wearing, with the shoulder strap positioned high and close to the shoulder. The underarm method can easily slip off during movement, which is dangerous if children imitate it. When my child was young, they tried buckling this way, and I immediately corrected them and demonstrated the proper method. In an accident, this positioning fails to provide proper cushioning, increasing risks. I recommend everyone take two seconds before driving to check belt positioning, ensuring safe travels.
