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New Hampshire driving lesson · Before You Drive

Safety belts

A 2-minute lesson from the New Hampshire course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Before You Drive
Checkpoint questions
4
Source pages
18, 19

Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash, according to NHTSA. Belts keep you from being thrown from the vehicle and help you keep control, but only if they're worn correctly.

Know the rule

In NH, safety restraints are required for anyone under 18. Drivers and passengers of all ages are highly recommended to use them.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
Under 18

Age group NH law requires to be restrained

Handbook p. 18 ↗

NHTSA figures cited in the manual

NHTSA figures cited in the manual
FactFigure
Occupants killed in 2021 who were unrestrained50%
Seat belt use rate, 202190.4%
Seat belt use rate, 202291.6%
Handbook p. 18 ↗

Know the rule

Wear the shoulder harness across your shoulder and chest with minimal, if any, slack. Never wear it under the arm or behind the back, which could cause serious internal injuries.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

Adjust the lap belt so it is snug and lies low across your hips; otherwise you could slide out of it in a collision.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
Buckle up (seat belt reminder)
BUCKLE UP sign

Why wear a belt:

  • Keeps you and passengers from being thrown from the vehicle
  • Helps the driver keep control
  • Greatly decreases the chance of injury or death in a crash
Handbook p. 18 ↗

Put it into practice

Your passenger tucks the shoulder strap behind her back because it rubs her neck. Ask her to wear it across the shoulder and chest. Worn wrong, the harness can cause serious internal injuries in a crash.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

In New Hampshire, safety restraints are legally required for anyone under what age?
  1. 14
  2. 16
  3. 21
  4. 18

Answer: 18

Safety restraints are required by law for anyone under the age of 18.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
According to NHTSA data cited in the manual, what percentage of passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2021 were unrestrained?
  1. 50%
  2. 90%
  3. 25%
  4. 75%

Answer: 50%

NHTSA reported that 50% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2021 were unrestrained.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
How should the shoulder harness of a safety belt be worn?
  1. Under the arm for comfort
  2. Across the shoulder and chest, snug
  3. Behind the back to avoid chest pressure
  4. Loosely draped over one shoulder

Answer: Across the shoulder and chest, snug

The shoulder harness should cross the shoulder and chest with little to no slack.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
What can happen if the lap belt is not adjusted to lie low and snug across the hips?
  1. An occupant could slide out of the belt in a crash
  2. The shoulder belt could lock too early
  3. The air bag could deploy too late
  4. The seat belt reminder will not turn off

Answer: An occupant could slide out of the belt in a crash

A loose or improperly placed lap belt can let an occupant slide out during a collision.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
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