Seatbelts and Child Safety
- 1/26If a driver starts the car without wearing a seatbelt
Montana law requires drivers to wear seatbelts at all times. It is a basic safety rule and helps reduce injury risk.
While driving with children in the back seat
Children under a certain age must be in booster or child seats. Adult belts alone may not protect them effectively.
When the seatbelt alarm keeps beeping
The sound is a reminder. Driving while ignoring the alert can result in a fine during routine traffic stops.
If your front passenger refuses to wear a seatbelt
The driver is responsible for ensuring front passengers are buckled. Ignoring it invites fines or penalty points.
At highway speeds, your helmet strap is loose
Helmets must be secured properly. A loose strap may cause it to fly off and fail to protect during crashes.
While riding a motorcycle on public roads
All motorcycle riders and passengers must wear DOT approved helmets. Not wearing one invites a citation and serious risk.
If your passenger on a motorcycle has no helmet
Riders and passengers must wear helmets. It is unsafe and illegal to continue riding without proper headgear.
Cycling on a busy road with no helmet
Though not always required for adults, wearing helmets protects against traumatic brain injury in case of crashes.
If your headlight is broken before sunset
Driving without working headlights is illegal. It reduces visibility for you and other road users during evening hours.
When your brake lights do not illuminate
Brake lights signal your intentions to stop. Without them, rear end collisions are more likely, and you may be fined.
If one side mirror is completely broken
Mirrors help eliminate blind spots. Operating with a missing mirror is unsafe and likely illegal under inspection rules.
At night, your taillights stop working
Taillights help other vehicles see you. Driving without them increases crash risk and is not permitted at night.
While wiping rain, you notice streaks on windshield
Damaged wipers reduce visibility during rain. It is critical to replace them before heading out again in wet weather.
When driving with fogged up windows in cold weather
You must maintain a clear view of the road. Fogged windows impair visibility and can cause preventable accidents.
While your tires appear bald or cracked
Bald tires lose grip and increase stopping distance. They’re dangerous especially in wet or icy Montana conditions.
When your horn is not functioning at all
A working horn is essential for alerting others in emergencies. Driving without one fails basic safety checks.
If your high beams blind oncoming traffic
Always dim high beams when other drivers approach. Keeping them on causes glare and increases crash risk.
Transporting children without a car seat
Car seats are mandatory for young children. Not using one can lead to fines and serious injury in crashes.
While you are reversing your vehicle
A rearview mirror is key to safe reversing. Without it, blind spots are larger, increasing risk of striking objects.
If both front airbags are deactivated
Airbags are a crucial backup in collisions. Driving without functioning airbags greatly increases injury risk.
When your headlights appear dim or flickering
Dim headlights reduce night visibility. Faulty bulbs should be replaced right away to meet safety standards.
If you are driving with luggage blocking your rear window
While legal in some cases, you must compensate using both side mirrors. Blocking rear view affects safety.
While overtaking, your turn signal does not flash
If your indicator fails, use hand gestures. Still, fix your signal immediately as it is required for legal operation.
When your windshield has a long crack
Cracked windshields reduce vision and may shatter under stress. It is unsafe to delay repairs.
If you have no working interior defroster
In Montana is winters, a defroster is vital. Without it, frost may cover glass, leading to blind driving.
If your license plate light is out
Plate lights help visibility at night. Without it, officers may issue a citation even if everything else works.