Not wearing a seatbelt isn’t just risky, it’s against the law and one of the most preventable causes of serious injury and death on New Mexico’s roads. Seatbelts and child restraints are designed to protect you in the moment you need them most. When they’re not used, even a minor crash can turn into a life-changing event.

Under New Mexico law, all occupants in a motor vehicle manufactured with seatbelts are required to wear them while the vehicle is in motion, regardless of where they’re seated. This applies to drivers and passengers in both front and rear seats. The law exists because seatbelts keep people inside the vehicle, prevent ejection, and reduce the force of impact on the body during a crash.

Children are protected by additional requirements. New Mexico law requires children to be properly restrained based on their age, height, and weight, using car seats or booster seats until an adult seatbelt fits correctly. These laws are designed to match a child’s physical development and provide protection that seatbelts alone cannot.

Seatbelt and child restraint laws are enforced because the consequences of not buckling up are severe. In crashes, unbelted occupants are far more likely to suffer serious injuries or be killed. When someone isn’t restrained, they can also injure other passengers by being thrown forward or ejected from the vehicle.

Violations may result in fines, points on your driving record, and additional fees, depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction. But the most serious consequences aren’t financial. Not buckling up can cost someone their life, or leave survivors with lifelong injuries. It can change families forever in a matter of seconds.