New Mexico Seat Belt Law
New Mexico's seat belt laws have evolved over time. According to the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Law, the seat belt usage rate in the state has risen steadily over the years.
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History
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In 1983, New Mexico passed a law stating "all children under the age of five must be properly secured when riding in passenger vehicles," according to the UNM School of Law. In 1986, New Mexico's mandatory adult seat belt law became law. It originally applied to only front seat passengers, but was expanded in 2001.
Current Adult Seat Belt Law
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According to the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department (MVD), if you are in a "moving vehicle" you must wear a seat belt, regardless of age or any other circumstance.
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Child Considerations
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The New Mexico MVD notes that children up to age seven, regardless of weight, and children less than sixty pounds, regardless of age, must ride in a child safety seat. Until the seat belt fits them properly, youth between the ages of seven and 12 must ride in a booster seat.
Primary Enforcement
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The MVD points out that New Mexico's seat belt and child restraint laws are primary enforcement laws. This means that a driver can be stopped for another reason, but given a ticket if either law is being broken by any individual in the vehicle.
Effects
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The UNM School of Law reports that in 1985, 32 percent of New Mexico crash victims wore seat belts. In 2004, New Mexico's seat belt usage rate stood at 90 percent.
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References
- Photo Credit seat belt image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
