No Seat Belt Ticket NYS VTL § 1229-c

“Buckle up, it’s the law.” The truth is that seat belts can save lives in a car accident. Adults know the consequences of not “buckling up” and bear the risk. But, children are different because they do not know the consequences of not wearing a seat belt like adult does. That is why the law and courts take this violation seriously, especially when it comes to children who are passengers in a car.

The Law

With few exceptions, the law basically says that in order to drive a car, the driver and all passengers must wear a seat belt. Pretty straight forward, but what are the consequences of a No Seat Belt ticket?

Monetary Penalties

Fines for No Seat Belt ticket run about $100 plus a mandatory surcharge of either $88 or $93. Although this does not seem like  much money, there are “hidden” cost that really add up. Pleading guilty to a New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1229-c  (VTL § 1229-c) No Seat Belt – Driver ticket can cost you thousands of dollars. What most drivers do not know is that this ticket will cause a car insurance increase. That is because car insurance companies function on an Insurance Demerit Point or Merit Rating Plan. Convictions of certain traffic infractions (tickets) will cause an auto insurance surcharge. Each insurance company determines the amount of the car insurance increase and duration, which can be for years. An auto insurance company can review a driver’s driving history for the past 3 years. If any merit system violations are found in the insured’s driving history, then the car insurance company can increase the insured’s premium.

Point Penalties

A No Seat Belt ticket issued to a driver carries 0 points and 3 points for a No Seat Belt ticket issued for a passenger.

Other Penalties To Keep In Mind

The same penalties may apply to out-of-state drivers who are issued a no seat belt ticket in Westchester County, or other counties in New York State.  A driver should be aware that an out of state no seat belt ticket can cause harm.There is an agreement, or interstate compact, between the states known as The Driver License Compact. States have agreed to communicate driving information with one another and will report to the home state of non-resident information like traffic violation convictions. The driver’s home state will then treat the convicted violation as if it happened in the home state and apply local laws to the out-of-state offense.

Find Out Your Options — Consult The Best Traffic Ticket Lawyer in Westchester County

The only way to avoid the negative consequences of a no seat belt ticket conviction and as an added bonus, save money in the process is to not leave this ticket to chance. Understanding how the New York State traffic laws may affect your driving privileges is critical, so educate yourself. Know what your options are, inclduing the consequence of pleading guilty and paying the fine. Make sure to do your homework BEFORE you make a hurried decision that you may later regret. This is where a free consultation with an experienced traffic lawyer is extremely helpful. If you want the best outcome possible, then let The Claro Law Firm fight hard for your rights! Call your traffic lawyer, Elisa Claro, Esq. at 917-300-3334 or online for a free traffic consultation. By doing so you will let the best Westchester County traffic ticket attorney work for you. The free consultation is a no pressure converstation and you will walk away with vaulable knowledge. Should you choose to hire, the process is geared towards your convenience as it is done through email, regular mail, and online. Give yourself peace of mind that you are doing all you can get the best outcome possible and that your ticket is being taken care of without you having to do anything at all. New York traffic lawyer Elisa Claro, Esq. has handled thousands of traffic tickets throughout New York, including Westchester County – Yonkers, Harrison, White Plains, with fantastic results. Let your success begin today!