Since July 1, drivers in Virginia have faced new responsibilities behind the wheel. It's no longer enough for front seat passengers to wear seat belts. Now, anyone unbuckled in the back seat will also result in penalties.
This change marks a turning point in the state's traffic regulations. Lawmakers have decided to expand the seat belt requirement to all vehicle occupants. The goal is clear: to reduce the number of road deaths.
Seat belt, mandatory for everyone
With this new law, the driver will be fined $25 for each passenger not wearing a seat belt. It doesn't matter if it's the front or back seat. The responsibility falls entirely on the person driving the vehicle.
The measure was promoted by Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra from Fairfax County. The law is considered secondary enforcement, so the fine will only be imposed if the vehicle is stopped for another violation, such as speeding.
Virginia, which has required seat belt use in front seats since 1988, is now taking another step. Back then, federal pressure was decisive, since the state risked losing funds if it didn't comply.
Worrying data that justify the measure
The figures make it clear: in 2024, 35% of road deaths in Virginia were people who weren't wearing seat belts. Road safety remains an unsolved issue in many areas of the country. With this measure, Virginia joins the 34 states and Washington, D.C. where seat belt use in back seats was already mandatory.
Only 15 states still keep rules that require it only in the front seat. New Hampshire remains the only state that doesn't require adults to wear seat belts, no matter which seat they're in.
New traffic measures in the state
The new seat belt law isn't the only one that took effect in Virginia this July. The state has also tightened its rules against "street takeovers," meaning illegal events with car stunts. These activities include drifting, racing, and dangerous maneuvers.
They usually take place in groups, on public roads or in parking lots. Virginia was the sixth state with the most street takeovers in 2023. This new rule was promoted by Delegate David Bulova.
Stricter controls starting in 2026
In the medium term, there will be another major change: starting in July 2026, drivers who exceed speed limits could have to install a speed limiter device. This system, controlled by GPS, will block the accelerator pedal when the maximum allowed speed (velocidad máxima permitida) is reached. It will be an alternative to having a driver's license suspended.
However, those who drive over 100 mph (160 km/h) will be required to install it. The proposal was presented by Democrat Patrick Hope. Authorities believe this one-year window will be key to informing citizens and properly implementing the measure. According to a survey by the AAA Foundation, nearly half of drivers admit to exceeding speed limits.