AAA New York State is pleased that legislation (A6163) requiring passengers to wear a seat belt in the back seat has passed the New York State Assembly. The legislation would also apply to passengers of ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

According to AAA New York State, an unbelted rear seat belt passenger in a vehicle accident is 2 times more likely to be killed, 8 times more likely to be seriously injured, and 2 times more likely to kill a front seat occupant by becoming a projectile.

In New York State, over the last decade, 289 people have been killed, and 25,596 people have been injured, while unrestrained in the back seat of a motor vehicle. It is a common misconception by many adults that they do not have to wear their seat belt in the backseat because it is safer. According to a survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 28 percent of people do not buckle up in the backseat.

The legislation is now in the hands of the New York State Senate where AAA is hopeful it will receive full approval.