Click It or Expect a Ticket

State seat belt laws are either secondary of primary. Secondary seat belt laws require that the police stop you for some other infraction like speeding or running a stop sign before they may issue a seat belt ticket.

Georgia’s seat belt laws are primary laws. This means that a police officer may pull a motorist over solely for a seat belt violation. In fact, the law indicates an officer has probable cause if she has a clear and unobstructed view of anyone not wearing a seat belt [O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76.1(F)].

The fine for a seat belt conviction is $15. You will receive a $25 fine if there is an unbelted minor passenger eight years or older in the vehicle [O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76.1(E)(2-3)]. If a passenger younger than eight is not in a booster or car seat, the fine is $50 for the first offense and $100 for the second offense.

In addition to fines, infractions of Georgia seat belt laws may also result in points against the driver’s license of the offender.

Jason R. Schultz
Helping Georgia area residents with car accident, medical malpractice, and personal injury claims since 1991.