Safety belts and child seats

Key points

1. Everyone in the vehicle must use a safety belt, and the driver is responsible for passengers under 16.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Alaska law AS 28.05.095 requires everyone in a motor vehicle to use a safety belt. Drivers must wear a safety belt. Passengers 18 and older will be issued a citation for failure to wear a seat belt. The driver is also responsible for all passengers under the age of 16 years.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 21

2. A child under 1, or older but under 20 pounds, must ride in a rear facing seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “Children less than 1 year of age or children older than 1 year but less than 20 pounds to be secured in a rear-facing car seat.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 22

3. A child over 4 and under 8 who is under 4 feet 9 inches and under 65 pounds needs a car seat or booster.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “Children over 4 and less than 8 years of age who are under 4’9” and less than 65 pounds to be properly secured in a car seat or booster seat.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 22

4. Children younger than 13 should ride in the rear seats.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “All children younger than 13 years old should be restrained in the rear seats of vehicles for optimal protection.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 23

5. Failing to restrain a passenger under 16 can mean a fine up to $50 and 2 points; adults face a $15 fine.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “A driver may be fined up to $50 and may receive two demerit points on their operator’s license for failure to restrain passengers under age 16. Adult violations are subject to a $15 fine.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 22

6. Cars built before 1965 without original seat belts are exempt.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “Vehicles built prior to 1965 which did not have safety belts as original equipment”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 22

7. In a 30 mph crash, a 15 pound infant held in your arms suddenly weighs 450 pounds.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “A 15-pound infant will suddenly weigh 450 pounds because of the forces unleashed in just a 30-mph collision.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 21

8. More than 80% of collisions happen below 40 mph, and three of four fatal ones within 25 miles of home.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “More than 80% of all collisions occur at speeds less than 40 miles per hour, and three out of four collisions causing death to occur within 25 miles of home.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 20

9. Fire or submersion is involved in less than 1/2 of 1% of collisions.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Collisions involving fire or submersion make up less than 1/2 of 1% of all traffic collisions.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 20

10. Your chance of being killed is almost 25 times greater if you are thrown from the car.

    Source: Handbook p. 20

    “The chances of being killed are almost 25 times greater if you’re thrown from the car.”
    Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 20

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Alaska practice test

1. 1. What does a 15 pound infant effectively weigh in a 30 mph collision, according to the Alaska manual?

   1. 30 pounds
   2. 450 pounds
   3. 15 pounds, weight does not change
   4. 100 pounds
   Show answer

   450 pounds. A 15 pound infant will suddenly weigh 450 pounds because of the forces unleashed in just a 30 mph collision, far more than any adult can hold. That is why children must ride in a properly secured child seat, rear facing as long as the seat allows, and why all children under 13 belong in the rear seat. Arms are not restraints.

2. 2. Where do most collisions happen, according to Alaska's seat belt facts?

   1. Mostly at night on rural roads
   2. Mostly on freeways above 65 mph
   3. Mostly on long trips far from home
   4. More than 80 percent occur below 40 mph, and three of four fatal collisions occur within 25 miles of home
   Show answer

   More than 80 percent occur below 40 mph, and three of four fatal collisions occur within 25 miles of home. More than 80 percent of all collisions occur at speeds less than 40 miles per hour, and three out of four collisions causing death occur within 25 miles of home. That is why the manual insists on belts for every trip, not only highway drives. In just a 30 mph collision a 15 pound infant is thrown with the force of 450 pounds.

3. 3. What share of collisions involve fire or submersion, according to the Alaska manual?

   1. About 25 percent
   2. Less than one half of one percent
   3. About half
   4. Nearly all fatal crashes
   Show answer

   Less than one half of one percent. Collisions involving fire or submersion make up less than one half of one percent of all traffic collisions, which answers the fear that a seat belt will trap you. More than 80 percent of collisions occur at speeds under 40 mph, and three of four fatal collisions happen within 25 miles of home, so the belt matters on the shortest, slowest trips.

Source: the Alaska Driver Manual, Safety Belts and Child Passenger Safety. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.