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Safety Belts

Maine requires all persons 4 years of age or older to be properly secured in safety belts. The law applies to all passengers and drivers of motor vehicles manufactured with safety belts.

Maine State Safety Belt Law

Children

The law in Maine states that all children birth to age four must be properly secured in a child safety seat when riding in a vehicle. The safest seat:

  • fits your child's weight and height
  • fits your vehicle
  • the one you use correctly every time

Safety belts are for everyone. Buckle your own safety belt every time. When children see adults buckle up, they will do it too.

Who is responsible for compliance?

The driver is responsible for making sure both he/she and all passengers under 18 are properly secured in safety belts. A passenger who is 18 or older is responsible for him/herself. History of Occupant Protection Laws - Maine

What is the penalty for a violation of the law?

There is now a graduated fine schedule.

  • 1st Offense - $70.00
  • 2nd Offense - $160.00
  • 3rd Offense - $310.00

Can I be pulled over just for being unbuckled or having passengers over 4 years who are unbuckled?

YES.

What are the exemptions to the law?

The following are exempt from the law: a person with a medical condition certified in writing by a physician, and rural postal carriers in the process of delivering mail. In addition, taxicab and limousine drivers are not responsible for securing in a seat belt passengers being transported for a fee.

If my vehicle has an airbag, do I need to wear a safety belt?

YES, an air bag alone does not meet the requirements of the law. Air bags are designed to provide supplemental protection for belted front seat occupants. Lap/shoulder belts must always be used with an air bag.

How should belts be worn?

  • Lap belts, as well as the lap portion of a lap/shoulder belt combination, should be adjusted so that they lie low across the hips and over the upper thighs. Lap belts should never lie across the stomach. To be most effective, they must lie over the pelvis. Adjust the lap belt so it is snug.
  • The shoulder belt should lie across the chest and over the collarbone with little, if any slack. It should not lie across the front of the neck or face. When using a lap/shoulder belt combination, do not place the shoulder portion behind the back, and never wear the shoulder belt under the arm.
  • Safety Belts alone should not be worn by person's under 80 pounds and 4'5" in height. Special booster seats are designed to help make the safety belt fit better.

If the shoulder belt cuts across a person's face or throat, consider these possible solutions:

  • Children could use a booster seat.
  • Use a seat belt adjuster.
  • Move the person closer to the center of the vehicle.
  • Move the vehicle seat backwards or forward to change the angle of the belt.
  • Move to the rear seat with a lap belt only.