Bus Passengers Required to Wear Seatbelts

Philip Krayna News Archive

Bus seat belts

Earlier this summer, the state of California passed a law (SB20) that requires all drivers and passengers in commercial buses to wear a seat belt, or face a fine of $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses.

Following are highlights of the new law which went into effect in July 2018:

NEW SEAT BELT LAW FOR BUSES IN CALIFORNIA:

  • Passengers are exempt if leaving his or her seat to use an
    on board bathroom.
  • Parent, legal guardian or chartering party is responsible for
    passengers 8 – 16 years old to wear seat belts.
    x Parent, legal guardian or chartering party is responsible for
    passengers under 8 years old and under 4 feet 9 inches in
    height, unless he or she is *acceptably restrained by a safety
    belt.
  • If it is not possible to ensure a child, ward, or passenger who
    is under eight years of age and under 4 feet 9 inches in
    height is acceptably restrained by a safety belt because of his
    or her size they shall be secured in an appropriate child
    passenger restraint system that meets applicable federal
    motor vehicle safety standards.

*acceptably restrained means all of the following:

  • The latch plate is securely fastened in the buckle.
  • The lap belt shall be adjusted to fit low and tight across the hips
    or upper thighs, not the stomach area.
  • The shoulder belt shall be adjusted snugly across the chest and
    the middle of the shoulder, away from the neck.
  • The shoulder belt shall not be placed behind the back of under the
    arm.

Read the full Bill text here.