The Law Regarding Seat Belts

Each driver and front seat passenger of a motor vehicle operated on a street or highway in this State shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened Safety Seat Belt.

Each driver under the age of 18 years and each of the driver's passengers under the age of 19 years of a motor vehicle operated on a street or highway in this State shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened Safety Seat Belt.

Each driver transporting a child 6 years of age or more, but less than 16 years of age, in the front seat, shall be secured in a properly adjusted and fastened Safety Seat Belt.

5 Ways Restraints Prevent Injury

1. Prevent Ejection
2. Contact the strongest parts of the body
3. Spread forces over a wide area of the body
4. Help the body “ride down” the crash
5. Protect the head and spinal cord

Saved By The Seat Belt Award

The Saved by the Seat Belt Award is given to person(s) involved in serious vehicle crashes and were saved from serious injury or death by wearing a seatbelt. The nomination form must be submitted by the police agency. The nomination is to include the crash report and should describe how the seatbelt or child safety seat reduced or eliminated injury or prevented a possible fatal crash.

Wearing a seatbelt is a choice people make each time they get into a vehicle. A choice that takes less than 3 seconds and can ultimately effect the rest of the person's life. There are sure to be numerous excuses for “not buckling up,” but none are good enough when they can become seriously injured or die in a crash.

This award is sponsored by the Illinois Chiefs of Police Association, Illinois Department of Transportation, the National Highway Safety Administration as well as Local Law Enforcement Agencies.