Colorado’s Seat Belt Laws
Seat belts are one of the simplest and most effective safety features in modern vehicles. They can dramatically reduce the risk of injury in an accident. Here’s what you need to know about Colorado seat belt laws.
Colorado Seat Belt Law Basics
In Colorado, seat belt requirements depend upon age and location inside the vehicle. The law aims to increase safety and reduce injuries in Colorado car accidents. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of the law:
Front Seat Occupants
All drivers and front-seat passengers must wear seat belts at all times, regardless of age. This requirement is straightforward and applies to all vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks.
Back Seat Occupants
The seat belt law for back seat passengers varies based on age. For children 16 years old and under, seat belts must be properly restrained in either a seat belt or a child safety seat depending on their age and size. For adults 16 and older you’re not required by state law to wear seat belts. However, wearing a seat belt is highly recommended for safety reasons. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, you can reduce your chances of a fatal injury by 45% by wearing a seatbelt during an accident.
Children and Car Seats
Colorado has specific regulations for child safety seats based on age, weight, and height. These rules are intended to ensure that young passengers are protected in the event of a crash. Children under 1 year old and those weighing less than 40 pounds must be in a rear-facing car seat. As children grow, they should transition to forward-facing seats and then booster seats as required by law.
Enforcement of Seat Belt Laws
In Colorado, seat belt laws are enforced through both a primary and secondary enforcement system. Primary enforcement means that a driver can be pulled over solely for not complying with a seat belt law. Secondary enforcement means drivers can only be ticketed for violation of a seat belt law if they are stopped for another violation. With this in mind, depending on the age of the individual they could be enforced either through primary or secondary enforcement methods.
Adults
Colorado has a secondary enforcement law for adult drivers and front-seat passengers. Drivers can be ticketed for violating the seat belt law only if they are stopped for another traffic violation.
Teens
Colorado’s Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) law requires all drivers under 18 and their passengers, regardless of their age, to wear seat belts. This is a primary enforcement, meaning teens can be pulled over solely for not wearing a seat belt or having passengers without seat belts.
Children
Colorado’s Child Passenger Safety law is a primary enforcement, meaning the driver can be stopped and ticketed if an officer sees an unrestrained or improperly restrained child under age 16 in the vehicle.
Exceptions and Special Circumstances
While Colorado’s seat belt laws are comprehensive, there are a few exceptions and special circumstances to be aware of:
Medical Exemptions
Some medical conditions could prevent someone from wearing a seat belt, such as; rheumatoid spondylitis, deformity or fusion of the spine, deformity or fusion of the spine, or orthopedic devices like body casts. If someone falls under these conditions they may be exempt from the law. However, they usually need to provide medical documentation to support this exemption.
Farm Vehicles
Certain farm and off-road vehicles may have different regulations or may be exempt from some seat belt requirements. Always check the specific laws applicable to these types of vehicles.
Classic Cars
Classic cars and older cars were originally manufactured without seat belts. In fact, vehicles manufactured before 1968 without seat belts are exempt from current seat belt laws simply because they don’t have any.
Legal and Insurance Implications
Non-compliance with seat belt laws can have more than just legal consequences. Insurance companies may view seat belt use as a factor in determining coverage and settlements. If you’re involved in an accident and weren’t wearing a seat belt, it might affect your claim. Insurance providers may argue that not wearing a seat belt contributed to your injuries, potentially impacting the amount of compensation you receive.
Whether you’re driving, riding in the front seat, or seated in the back, wearing a seat belt can protect you and your passengers from serious injuries. For more information or if you have questions about seat belt laws or if you have been injured in a car accident, feel free to contact us at Hoffman Law Firm PC. We’re here to help with all your personal injury and legal needs.