The Todd Law FirmA summary of Texas seat belt and child safety seat laws.

Practice Areas:

News:

$55M Verdict for 10 Year Old Injured in Car Accident

New State Law Makes Vicious Dog Attacks A Felony

CDC: US Free of Canine Rabies

Chihuahua Dies After Being Left Inside Car in Sweltering Heat

Parents Could Face Charges After Son Is Mauled to Death By Family Pit Bull

Woman Seriously Injured in Pit Bull Attack

Alcohol a Factor in East Austin Fatal Accident

Big Rig Carrying Blasting Caps Crashes, Shuts Down Highway 183

Landscape Worker Killed When Drill Bit Contacts Electrical Line in Round Rock Residence

Yet Another Amusement Park Death

more >

Library

Austin Car Accident Attorney Auto Injury Lawyer

Austin Truck Accident Attorney 18 Wheel Injury Lawyer

Austin Wrongful Death Attorney Serious Injury Lawyer

Austin Dog Bite Attorney Animal Attack Lawyer

Austin Insurance Claim Attorney Liability Lawyer

General

Seat Belt & Child Safety Seat Laws

Texas seat belt laws require all passengers in the front seat of the vehicle to be wearing a seat belt. Failing to do so is a misdemeanor that carries a fine of $25-$50. This may not seem like much money, but the real costs of not wearing your seat belt can be much greater than the fine.


In 2006, 90.4% of Texas drivers and passengers reported that they routinely wore their seatbelts. This is almost ten points better than the national average of 81%. Texas’ results may be due to the fact that Texas is a “primary” enforcement state, meaning that officers may pull you over if they see you driving without a seatbelt. In “secondary” enforcement states, the officer must pull you over for some other traffic offense and may also give you a ticket for failure to wear your seatbelt.


Children and Safety Seats

It is also illegal to drive with a child under the age of five or less than 36 inches tall out of a child safety seat approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This offense is also a misdemeanor, carrying a $100 - $200 fine.


If you’re a new parent or looking for a new child safety seat, check out this link. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued their 2007 Ease of Use rankings for child safety seats.


Also, if you’d like to have an official check the installation of your child’s seat, you can consult this spreadsheet, which offers a list of over sixty safety centers and sheriffs offices who will inspect the seat for you.


Child safety belt use in cars is critically important because of the fragile nature of a child’s body. They may be even less able to withstand the impact of a car accident than adults are. In 2004, an average of five children under the age of 15 were killed every single day in motor vehicle crashes. Another 646 children were injured each and every day.

David Todd practices Personal Injury Law serving Austin, Texas and Central Texas communities including Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Hays, Caldwell, Blanco, Burnet, Lee, Comal, and Llano counties.

Let Us Know How We Can Help - Click Here

Contact Us Today

First Name:

Last Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Country:

Phone:

Fax:
Email:

Tell us more:

The Todd Law Firm, PLLC
812 San Antonio Street
Suite 105
Austin, Texas 78701

Phone: 512-472-7799
Fax: 512-477-1332

FAQs

Austin Car Accident Attorney Auto Injury Lawyer

Austin DWI Accident Attorney Drunk Driver Injury Lawyer

Austin Truck Accident Attorney 18 Wheel Injury Lawyer

Austin Dog Bite Attorney Animal Attack Lawyer

Austin Construction Accident Attorney Work Injury Lawyer

Austin Insurance Claim Attorney Liability Lawyer

General

View All

Family Law

Since 1989, Attorney David Todd, has represented clients in a wide range of family law matters.



Contact us for a consultation on your family law matter >>