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New York Governor Seeks Legislation Requiring Seatbelts for All Backseat Passengers

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is pushing for new legislation requiring backseat passengers to wear seatbelts.

According to research published by AAA, a person who is not wearing a seatbelt while in the backseat of a vehicle is three times more likely to die in an accident. That research also states the most vulnerable people tend to be older teenagers or younger adults, who are less likely to wear seatbelts while in a vehicle.

Under the governor’s proposal, violators would be subject to a $50 fine if they do not click their seatbelts while in the backseat of any type of vehicle, including ride services like limousines, Lyft and Uber. If children in the backseat are not wearing a seatbelt, the adult driver could get a moving violation, leading to three points off a driver’s license.

There has not yet been an official bill proposed in the New York state legislature, so as of right now, this is only an unofficial proposal. But with more accidents occurring on the slippery winter roads, and with a deadly limousine accident in upstate New York from the fall still a recent memory, there is likely to be plenty of support from lawmakers if such a bill ever hits the floor.

Traffic and safety laws affect personal injury claims

There are some circumstances in which the outcome of a personal injury claim can be affected by traffic laws. The presence of a moving violation, for example, could make it less challenging for a plaintiff to prove a defendant’s liability for a crash.

Therefore, it is important to work with an attorney who knows New York’s various traffic laws and regulations. For the guidance and advice you need, contact a skilled auto accident lawyer with Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia LLP.