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Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Buckle Up Pennsylvania

Buckle Up Pennsylvania

Buckle Up PA is a project funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation dedicated to raising the seat belt usage level in Pennsylvania through increased enforcement, public awareness and education. The partnership is comprised of municipal police departments, the Pennsylvania State Police, PennDOT, the US Department of Transportation and community groups and organizations.

Seat Belt Enforcement Regions

Pennsylvania Seat Belt Law

Safety Belt Use Law

Primary Enforcement

Section 4581 (a)(3) Restraint Systems

  • A driver who is under 18 may not operate a motor vehicle in which the number of passengers exceeds the number of available seat belts in the vehicle. (Primary)

FINE: $10.00 plus CAT, EMS, and JCP- no court costs assessed.

Secondary Enforcement

Section 4581 (a)(2) Restraint Systems

  • Driver and all front seat passengers must be restrained.
  • Drivers are responsible for themselves and to secure all children from 8 years of age up to 18 years of age in a seat belt system any where in the vehicle.
  • Exemptions include carriers of medical or psychological excuses signed by a physician, rural letter carriers, deliverers of goods or service vehicle operators driving at speeds less than 15 mph and making frequent stops, drivers, and front seat passengers of automobiles manufactured before July 1, 1966.

FINE: $10.00 plus CAT, EMS and JCP when convicted of a primary offense.

Child Passenger Safety Law

Primary Enforcement

Section 4581 (a)(1) Restraint Systems

  • All drivers are responsible to secure children from birth to age 4 in an approved child passenger restraint system.

FINE: Maximum fine of $100.00 plus court costs, CAT, EMS, JCP or proof of car seat purchase.

Secondary Enforcement

Section 4581 (a)(1.l)

  • All drivers are responsible to secure children from 4 years of age up to 8 years of age in a seat belt system and an appropriately fitting child booster seat.
  • Exemptions are allowed under the law.

Guidelines have been prepared by the Department of Transportation to provide guidance for exemptions for Section 4581 (a)(1.1).
A copy of the guidelines can be obtained from 1-800-CAR BELT.
FINE: Failure to comply with the provisions in 4581 (a)(1.1) shall be guilty of a summary offense with a maximum fine of $100.00 plus CAT, EMS, JCP or proof of car seat purchase.

Our Current Focus

Click It or Ticket Mobilization

The next statewide Click It or Ticket mobilization will take place in November 2009.