All occupants, including adults in rear seats, must wear seatbelts in moving vehicles. Not doing so can result in individual citations for passengers and potential driver penalties.

In Illinois, helmets are legally required for motorcycle riders and passengers under 18. Riding without one is a direct violation and may lead to fines or restriction of riding privileges.

Bicycle helmets are required for minors across many local ordinances in Illinois. Non-compliance can result in parental warnings, fines, or equipment confiscation.

Brake lights are critical for alerting drivers behind you. Operating a vehicle with non-functioning brake lights, especially at night, is unsafe and illegal under basic maintenance laws.

Side and rearview mirrors are essential for visibility. Missing or damaged mirrors violate safety standards and can impair lane changes or reversing, making driving dangerous.

Illinois law requires all front seat occupants to be restrained. Being unbuckled in the front, regardless of age, is a clear violation and grounds for citation.

Disabling safety equipment without need, especially for adults, is unsafe. Airbags provide critical protection in frontal collisions and should remain active unless medically necessary.

Children under 2 must ride in rear-facing seats unless they exceed height/weight limits. Improper orientation increases injury risk and violates child restraint rules.

In Illinois, booster seats are required until children reach age 7 or under 60 pounds. Skipping this step can result in citations and higher crash risk.

Seatbelt laws apply on all roads and for all distances. Most crashes happen close to home, making short-trip non-compliance just as dangerous and unlawful.

Both headlights must function after dark for visibility and signaling. Driving with one headlight can reduce reaction time and lead to a citation.

Equipment like wipers must be functional at all times. They are critical during sudden rain or debris events. Driving with faulty wipers can still be cited.

Driving with bald or dangerously worn tires compromises grip, especially in rain. This violates basic safety standards and can cause blowouts or hydroplaning.

Seatbelts must remain fastened while the vehicle is moving, no matter the speed. Unbuckling during a trip breaks compliance and invites citation.

Infants under 1 must always ride in a rear-facing seat. Early forward-facing use increases spinal injury risk and violates legal restraint guidelines.

Hazard lights are meant for emergencies or roadside stops. Using them while driving normally confuses others and may lead to a citation.

All occupants must use seatbelts. Buckling only the driver does not satisfy safety laws, and officers can issue separate fines for each unbelted person.

Passengers must have secure footrests to legally ride on a motorcycle. Missing or unused footrests make the ride unstable and violate equipment safety standards.

Young children must use age- and size-appropriate restraints. Regular seatbelts do not offer proper fit or protection and are considered a violation.

Wearing a seatbelt improperly, such as behind the back, negates its function. It is considered non-compliance and fails to protect during crashes.