I'm pretty sure it's the same in the US. I think the driver can even be ticketed for any person not wearing a seatbelt in the vehicle, even adults. I find it amazing that there are still people fighting seatbelts. It was first working its way to becoming a law when I was a kid and even then all the statistics showed that it saved lives and that the whole "trapped in a burning car" wasn't as nearly likely to happen as an un-seatbelted person being thrown from the car and killed, usually with the automobile rolling over them. I have heard of people not wearing seatbelts because of all the other safety features in automobiles now. Air bags really work a lot better if you are also wearing a seatbelt.

That's exactly what I came here to say. In the UK the driver would have been fined. And over 14 it's still the law, so the mother was expecting the driver to collude with law breaking. It wouldn't have been about 'my car, my rules' it would just have been 'them's the rules'. I can still see someone trying to pull this stunt, because every country has a.r.s.e. holes, but it would have made the position clearer.

In any civilised country it would be illegal to drive without wearing seatbelts. In the Netherlands the fine is €140 per person not wearing them. But that's nothing compared to your sentence when you get into an accident and persons get injured or die because they are not wearing their seatbelts.

It’s the same in the U.S. and the driver is obligated if they are ticketed. In fact, let’s think of the worst case scenario… they are in an accident that causes injury or death… the adult driver becomes liable. And not just financially liable… you could be charged with manslaughter. Honestly, I wouldn’t have continued to fight the battle as long as this person did. The first time it happened… fine. Call it a learning experience. The second time, though… I would’ve explained to their mom I wasn’t willing to carpool anymore. Additionally, I’d be highly concerned that this mother didn’t make my child wear her seatbelt when it was her turn to drive. If she doesn’t make sure her own children wear their seatbelts… what makes me think she’d make sure my daughter was wearing hers? Nope. Just nope.

Not only children in my country. The driver is responsible for everyone. We have laws for appropriate child seats too. And age/ hight requirements to be allowed to sit in front.

Even worse in France as we have 12 points on our license. The fine is up to 500€ and you lose 3 points. 0 points = good bye driving license.

In the UK i thought it was now the drivers responsibility to ensure ALL passengers wore seatbelts and if they were pulled over and someone wasnt wearing one, its the driver that's fined. Maybe just Scotland 🤔

In my area (Tulsa, ok), if you're over the age of 13 and sitting in the back seat you are allowed to not wear a seat belt. You still have to in the front seats. I make sure everyone wears a seatbelt unless the physically cannot due to size or it not working.

Was about to quote the same! It's not simply a case of 'my car my rules' it's the law

It's the same in Canada, although I think the age is 16. The driver is ticked for anyone under 16 not wearing a seat belt but anyone over that age gets the ticket and not the driver.

it's the law in canada to wear them and not only will the driver get fined, but any adult passengers will get their fine... not sure on how minors are fined except that the driver definitely would and possibly other charges.

Same in Ontario, but it’s children under 16.

That's how it is in my province in Canada too. The fines can get quite hefty too.

So she should have spoken to Danielle when it forst became clear it was an issue, and if come to some agreement with Danielle about how to handle it. What you don't do is kidnap someone else's children to prove a point.

Not only that, but a non-seatbelted child in the back could injure or kill people in the front seats. Tie the little projectiles down!