Safety Belts in Washington

(Update September 17, 2024)

Safety Belt Laws in Everett and Snohomish County, Washington

In Everett and across Snohomish County, Washington State law mandates that all adults must wear a safety belt while operating or riding in a motor vehicle. This safety measure is crucial to reducing injuries and fatalities in vehicle accidents, and local law enforcement takes it seriously.

Who Must Wear a Safety Belt?

Every individual over the age of 16—whether they are the driver or a passenger—must wear a seat belt that is properly secured. Failure to do so may result in a traffic infraction, which could appear on your driving record. It’s important to note, however, that under Washington law (RCW 46.61.688), this infraction is not reported to insurance companies or employers, offering some protection against potential rate hikes or employment issues.

Responsibility of Drivers for Passengers Under 16

Drivers in Snohomish County must ensure that all passengers under the age of 16 are properly secured. This includes making sure children are in the appropriate car seats or safety restraints, based on their age, height, and weight.

Medical Exemptions

There are some exemptions to the seat belt law. For example, a licensed physician may provide a written verification if a driver or passenger is unable to use a seat belt for medical or physical reasons. If you live in Everett or Snohomish County and believe you might qualify for this exemption, consult your doctor for documentation that you can present to law enforcement if needed.

Child Safety Belt and Restraint Laws

Washington State has strict guidelines to protect children on the road. If you’re driving through Everett or anywhere in Snohomish County, it’s important to comply with the following child safety laws:

Under 2 Years of Age: Children must be secured in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the height or weight limit of the seat’s manufacturer. Rear-facing seats provide the best protection for infants and toddlers in the event of an accident.
2-4 Years of Age: Once your child outgrows their rear-facing seat, they must transition to a forward-facing car seat, remaining in this restraint until they exceed the height or weight limit as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Under 4’9″ in Height: Children under 4 feet 9 inches tall are required to be properly secured in a booster seat or other child restraint system that complies with U.S. Department of Transportation standards. This system must be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and your vehicle’s manual.
Under 13 Years of Age: For children under 13, the back seat is the safest place in the car. Washington law requires children to sit in the back seat when possible.

Law Enforcement and Penalties

Law enforcement officers in Everett and Snohomish County have the authority to visually inspect child safety restraints during a traffic stop. They will confirm whether the car seat or booster is appropriate for the child’s age, height, and weight and verify that it has been properly installed. If you are found in violation of the child restraint laws, you could be issued a traffic infraction.

However, there is some leniency for first-time offenders. According to RCW 46.61.687, if you are cited for a violation of the child restraint law, you can have the ticket dismissed by providing proof to the court within seven days that you have acquired an appropriate restraint system—assuming you have not had a prior dismissal for the same issue.

Stay Safe in Everett and Beyond

Whether you’re driving around downtown Everett or commuting through Snohomish County, following Washington’s safety belt and child restraint laws not only keeps you and your passengers safe, but it also helps you avoid costly fines and legal consequences. For legal advice on traffic violations or to understand more about your rights and obligations, Merrill Law is here to help. Contact us today for expert legal support.

There are many ways an experienced traffic attorney can fight your ticket for you.

      
   Merrill Law
   717 reviews 
  Write a review     Google    Facebook    Trustindex  
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Shannon Jackson 
 September 6, 2026
 
 
  He’s like Santa for speeding tickets. Anytime someone says they got a ticket, I always tell them “I got a guy”
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Nathan Turner 
 September 6, 2026
 
 
  My son got his first speeding ticket. We called these guys and sent them a photo of the ticket. They took care of everything and got the ticket dismissed. Lucky kid. Hope he learned his lesson...
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Kymberly Hoyle 
 September 3, 2026
 
 
  I have gone through Merrill Law 3 times now for speeding violations and expired tabs and they are efficient and super easy to work with every time. Reece is fantastic and communicative. I highly recommend them as they have saved me a lot of money in the end.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Jamie Lee Fada 
 September 3, 2026
 
 
  I have used Merrill Law several times from speeding tickets to HOV violations. Everyone has been dismissed. I can't reccomend them enough.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Laura Taylor 
 August 18, 2026
 
 
  Going to Merrill Law was one of the best decisions I could have made. From start to finish, their team was kind, professional, helpful, and excellent at communicating throughout the process. I truly appreciated their support and would highly recommend Merrill Law to anyone in need of their services.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Xavier Hecker 
 August 17, 2026
 
 
  Second speeding ticket in a row dropped, and I never had to step foot in a court room.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Matthew Matyuk 
 August 15, 2026
 
 
  Great experience, big thanks, ticket dismissal went smoothly.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Jordan Cabral 
 August 14, 2026
 
 
  Huge thank you to Reece Merrill for helping me resolve an issue with the Department of licensing. He was so quick to help me fix what seemed to be an overlook on the DOL’s part. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs legal help big or small.
  
 
     Posted on Trustindex  
   
   Alex Nelsen 
 July 28, 2025
 
 
  Reliable, Professional, and Effective Big thanks to Merrill Law for getting my ticket dismissed. I’ve used them before after a friend recommended them, and they’ve made the whole process easy and stress-free every time. It’s a huge relief knowing they’re in your corner, fighting for you. Highly recommend to anyone needing a solid attorney
  
 
     Posted on Trustindex  
   
   Stephan A 
 June 14, 2025
 
 
  Fantastic as always 
  
 
     Posted on Trustindex  
   
   Marc Calague 
 November 5, 2024
 
 
  Merrill Law is fantastic Got my infraction dismissed and all I did was call them. Saved my record, my time, and my money.
  
 
     Posted on Trustindex  
   
   John Miranda 
 October 24, 2023
 
 
  Great Result.  Dismissed speeding Ticket!! I got a speeding ticket that I presented to Mr Merril.  Very easy to process. Excellent communication.    He called me during the process to l ask my opinion.   He felt there may be a chance that my ticket would not be dismissed and wanted to know if I would be willing to pay a fine, to keep the ticket off of my record.  I agreed and was thankful to be included in the process.  Mr. Merrill went to court, fought for me and WON!  my ticket was dismissed!! Great result.
  
 
     Posted on Trustindex  
   
   Brian 
 August 17, 2023
 
 
  The Best Legal Team I will begin by saying the professional and courteous manner in which they (the whole practice) treat people is second to none. Not only have they kept my driving record impeccable, the cost is fair and they can be counted on 100%. I cant say enough how grateful i am to have been recommended to these guys, here i am doing exactly the same i recommend them beyond plain recommendations haha Thank you to all the people in your firm Rick!!
  
 
     Posted on Trustindex  
   
   Cecilia Jones 
 June 21, 2023
 
 
  Grateful is an understatement! Quick and concise work on the part of the firm, ensuring clear direction of what documentation needed to be submitted in order to dispute. I was given reassurance that once everything was handled id receive an email of the overall outcome of my case. Im happy to say it was a successful favorable outcome and I can continue working without any additional financial hardship thanks to this firm!
  
 
     Posted on Trustindex  
   
   Arteom Lupekha 
 April 14, 2023
 
 
  Excellent Experience Reece and his team worked quite quickly and we’re very responsive. They under promise and over deliver. Excellent experience from 3 traffic violations over a few years. Highly recommend!