What are the penalties for drivers not wearing seat belts in 2021?
2 Answers
In 2021, drivers who do not wear seat belts will be fined 50 yuan and have 2 points deducted from their license. Below is an extended introduction: 1. Legal regulations: Article 51 of the 'Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China' stipulates that when a motor vehicle is in motion, the driver and passengers must use seat belts as required. If a driver fails to wear a seat belt as required while driving on highways or urban expressways, 2 points will be deducted. A fine of 50 yuan will be imposed for not wearing a seat belt as required. 2. The role of seat belts: When a car collides or encounters an emergency brake, a huge inertial force will be generated, causing secondary collisions between the driver, passengers, and objects inside the car such as the steering wheel, windshield, and seat backs. This can easily lead to serious injuries to the occupants, or even eject them from their seats or out of the vehicle. Seat belts can restrain the occupants in their seats, preventing secondary collisions, and their cushioning effect can absorb a large amount of kinetic energy, reducing the severity of injuries to the occupants.
I remember the seatbelt fines in 2021 were quite strictly enforced. That time when I was driving a friend to catch the high-speed train, I forgot to buckle up right after leaving the neighborhood and got pulled over at an intersection. The traffic police issued a ticket—50 yuan fine plus 2 penalty points for urban roads, and the whole process wasted half a day. I heard that on highways, you’d get slapped with a 200-yuan fine and 2 points immediately. Once on the ring expressway, I saw a girl stomping her feet after getting fined. The money isn’t the main issue; it’s the hassle of reappointing to clear the penalty points that’s really annoying. Now I’ve developed muscle memory to pull the seatbelt before starting the car—after all, even getting caught by an in-car camera results in the same penalty. If you ever slam the brakes without wearing it, banging your head on the steering wheel hurts way more than any fine.