Who Gets Fined When a Passenger Fails to Wear a Seat Belt?
2 Answers
Passengers who fail to wear seat belts are responsible for their own fines. Here are the relevant details: 1. Obligation to Remind: For commercial vehicles such as taxis or passenger buses, drivers are obligated to remind and supervise passengers to wear seat belts. If passengers are found not wearing seat belts, the driver may also be penalized. 2. Article 89: Pedestrians, passengers, or non-motor vehicle drivers who violate road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road usage may receive a warning or a fine. If a non-motor vehicle driver refuses to accept the fine, their vehicle may be impounded. When a motor vehicle is in motion, both the driver and passengers must wear seat belts as required, and motorcycle riders and passengers must wear safety helmets as stipulated.
Having driven for decades, I've seen many cases where passengers didn't wear seat belts, and the fines mainly target the driver. The law states that drivers are responsible for ensuring everyone in the vehicle is safe, including reminding them to buckle up. If police stop the car and find passengers without seat belts, the driver will receive a ticket, usually around 200 yuan. Drivers can't shift responsibility—they must remind everyone before starting the trip and develop the habit of buckling up immediately. Safety is the top priority; seat belts protect passengers during sudden braking or collisions, preventing ejection or serious injuries. I recommend regularly checking if the seat belts in the car are functioning properly and replacing any damaged ones promptly—don't wait for a fine to regret it.
