Is Not Wearing a Seat Belt Illegal?

[LaRonan]

Not wearing a seat belt is illegal and violates the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China." Article 51 stipulates: When a motor vehicle is in motion, the driver and passengers must use seat belts as required, and motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear safety helmets as required. The traffic law's requirements for passenger seat belts: 1. When a vehicle is traveling on a highway, passengers who do not wear seat belts as required will be fined. 2. When a motor vehicle is in motion, passengers who do not use seat belts as required will be fined. 3. When driving a motor vehicle on urban roads with speed limits below 50 km/h, passengers who do not wear seat belts as required will be given an oral warning if they correct the behavior immediately after being pointed out.

[Diego]

I believe not wearing a seatbelt is illegal. It's not just a legal requirement but also a critical measure to protect one's life. As someone who has driven for many years, I've always made it a habit to buckle up, as it significantly reduces the fatality rate in accidents—statistics show it can lower the risk of fatal injuries by over 40%. In China, the Road Traffic Safety Law explicitly requires both drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts while the vehicle is in motion; failure to do so can result in a fine of around 200 yuan and penalty points. Once, a friend of mine didn't wear his seatbelt and suffered broken ribs from a minor accident, taking a long time to recover. I think everyone should develop this habit—it takes just a few seconds in the car but can prevent future disasters. When driving on the road, safety and law-abiding go hand in hand; don't let negligence lead to lifelong regret.

[OTeagan]

Since my children started kindergarten, I've made it mandatory for them to wear seat belts. This is not just about obeying the law, but more importantly, about family safety. When they try to wriggle free, I patiently explain: seat belts keep them secured in their seats during emergencies, preventing them from being thrown out of the car. The law requires children to use child safety seats or seat belts when traveling in a vehicle. Fines and penalty points are minor compared to the potential tragedy of an accident. A neighbor of mine didn't make his son buckle up, and even in a minor rear-end collision, the child hit his head, resulting in medical bills of several thousand yuan. I believe parents must lead by example. Before every trip, I double-check to ensure the whole family is safely buckled up. This isn't just about traffic rules—it's about responsibility and love. There's no room for carelessness; small actions can prevent major disasters.

[AndersonLee]

Not wearing a seatbelt is definitely illegal, and this is something worth reminding. Chinese traffic regulations clearly state: driving or sitting in the front seat without buckling up will result in a fine, ranging from 200 yuan and 2 demerit points to affecting insurance claims. As a long-distance driver, I've personally experienced the consequences—once, I didn't buckle up, slammed into the steering wheel during an emergency brake, and my shoulder hurt for a week. Since then, the first thing I do when getting in the car is click that buckle. Seatbelts keep you securely in place and reduce impact during collisions. Don't think buckling up is a hassle; not doing so is the real loss. The fine is minor, but if an accident happens, where do you find the cure for regret?