Whether or not Florida state law requires you to wear a seat belt while sitting in the back seat, it’s always a good idea to wear one anyway. Driving or riding in a car without a seat belt can be incredibly dangerous and could even cost you your life.
Some Florida seat belt requirements include the following:
- All drivers must use a seat belt in Florida while operating a vehicle.
- All front-seat passengers in a vehicle must wear a seat belt.
- All back-seat passengers under 18 must wear a seat belt.
- Children five and under must always be secured in a federally approved child restraint – such as a booster seat or car seat.
If you are a legal adult and sitting in the back seat, you technically aren’t required to wear a seat belt in Florida. You also might not be required to wear a seat belt if you have a medical condition. However, you must be able to show a doctor’s note if you are pulled over by law enforcement or have to dispute a traffic ticket in court.
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What Is The Importance of Wearing Your Seat Belt?
While there is no Florida law requiring adults to wear a seat belt while sitting in the rear seat, it is still recommended. Wearing a seat belt can offer you protection from the force of a collision and may prevent severe injuries in a crash.
Common injuries that occur due to not wearing a seat belt include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken and fractured bones
- Internal injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Cuts, scrapes, and bruises
If you are not wearing a seat belt and a car crash occurs, you could be thrown around inside or outside the vehicle. To help you avoid serious, life-altering injuries, you should always wear a seat belt regardless of your age. 
What Are the Consequences of Not Wearing a Seat Belt in Florida?
Not wearing a seat belt when required is a primary traffic offense in Florida. Law enforcement officers are permitted to pull over and ticket any driver who isn’t wearing a seat belt. Drivers who don’t wear a seat belt while operating a vehicle or transport passengers under 18 who aren’t wearing a seat belt will be fined and can get points added to their license. Law enforcement can also ticket adult passengers who aren’t wearing a seat belt if the passenger is required to by law.
Do Back-Seat Seat Belts Save Lives?
Many passengers wrongly believe that the back seat is less dangerous than the front. However, more than 1,000 unbuckled back-seat passengers died in car accidents in a recent year, according to USA Today. Even if you are a legal adult, wearing a seat belt in the back seat can save your life. This will prevent you from being thrown out of the vehicle or against other passengers in a crash.
Contact a Florida Car Accident Attorney Today
If you were injured in a car accident in Florida, contact the law firm of Zervos & Calta, PLLC today to discuss your options and get started on your accident claim. We have the resources to help you pursue the maximum available compensation for your losses. Reach out right away for a free consultation.
About the Author
Angela Zervos
Angela has spent more than 20 years of her legal career fighting for personal injury victims – and against big insurance companies. As a true trial lawyer, she takes on a wide variety of personal injury claims, including those involving motor vehicle accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, medical malpractice, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death. Prior to starting her own law practice, Angela secured more than $80 million in settlements and jury verdicts for her clients – a 90 percent success rate since 2002. Her efforts on behalf of her clients have resulted in numerous accolades. For example, Angela maintains a “Superb” 10.0 rating from AVVO, an “AV Preeminent” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and she is ranked among the Top 100 civil trial lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Zervos & Calta, PLLC serves the entire Tampa Bay area – including Pinellas County, Pasco County, Hernando County, and Hillsborough County – from offices in Tarpon Springs, Spring Hill, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg.
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