Will driving without wearing a seatbelt result in penalty points and fines?
2 Answers
Driving without wearing a seatbelt will result in both penalty points and fines. According to Article 51 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, drivers and passengers must use seatbelts as required when the vehicle is in motion. Penalties for not wearing a seatbelt: When driving on urban expressways, if the driver fails to use a seatbelt 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 a seatbelt as required, a fine will be imposed but no penalty points will be deducted. The importance of seatbelts: When a car is driving at high speed and encounters an emergency requiring sudden braking, proper use of a seatbelt can restrain the driver and passengers in their seats, avoiding or reducing collision injuries. To encourage drivers to use seatbelts, it is stipulated that if a driver fails to wear a seatbelt as required while driving on a highway or urban expressway, 2 penalty points will be deducted for each violation.
I've been driving for over 20 years and fully understand the importance of seat belts. If you drive without wearing a seat belt, you may be caught by traffic cameras or police officers, resulting in a 2-point deduction and a fine of around 200 yuan. Accumulating too many points puts your driver's license at risk, requiring you to retake the written test. More importantly, it's a safety issue. I've witnessed accident scenes where unbelted passengers suffered severe injuries, including broken legs. During sudden braking on highways, the impact force is tremendous, and seat belts help secure your body to minimize harm. I make it a habit to buckle up immediately when getting in the car, even for short trips. Developing this habit can prevent trouble and protect your life. I always share this advice when discussing cars with friends - never compromise safety for minor conveniences.
