What are the penalty point standards for seat belt violations?
2 Answers
Penalty point and fine standards for not wearing a seat belt while driving: When driving on urban expressways, if the driver fails to use the seat belt as required, a fine will be imposed and 2 penalty points will be deducted; when driving on roads other than highways or urban expressways, if the driver fails to use the seat belt as required, a fine will be imposed but no penalty points will be deducted; when a motor vehicle is in motion, if passengers fail to use the seat belt as required, a fine will be imposed; when driving on highways, if the driver fails to use the seat belt as required, a fine will be imposed and 2 penalty points will be deducted; when a vehicle is traveling on a highway, if passengers fail to fasten the seat belt as required, a fine will be imposed; when driving a motor vehicle on urban roads with a speed limit below 50 km/h, if passengers fail to use the seat belt as required but correct the behavior immediately after being pointed out, an oral warning will be issued; according to Order No. 123, if a driver fails to fasten the seat belt as required while driving on a highway or urban expressway, 2 penalty points will be recorded for each violation. Regarding fines for front-seat passengers not wearing seat belts, according to the Road Traffic Safety Law, when a motor vehicle is in motion, front-seat passengers must also use seat belts. The requirement for front-seat passengers to wear seat belts has been clearly stipulated in the old traffic regulations. Traffic police on duty can impose fines on any front-seat passenger who fails to wear a seat belt. Basis: Article 51 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" states that 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. Article 90 states that if a motor vehicle driver violates the road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road traffic rules, a warning or fine will be imposed. If there are other provisions in this law, the punishment shall be carried out in accordance with those provisions.
Two years ago, I was driving on the highway without wearing a seatbelt and got a ticket with 3 demerit points plus a 200-yuan fine. Now, the nationwide standard is that drivers not wearing seatbelts on highways or urban expressways will receive 3 demerit points; on regular roads, it's 1 point. After last year's new regulations, the penalty for regular roads was slightly reduced, but you still can't be careless. If passengers don't wear seatbelts, some cities will fine the driver from tens to hundreds of yuan but won't deduct points. In short, wearing a seatbelt is a matter of life and death—even backseat passengers must buckle up properly. Never think it's too much trouble.