Virginia has a New Law

Since July 1st, 2025, all vehicle occupants must wear their seat belt.

Virginia Seat Belt Use and Fatality Statistics

Below are the most up-to-date figures:

1. Seat Belt Usage Rate: Approximately 81.1% of Virginians (drivers and front-seat passengers) wear their seat belts, according to a 2024 statewide observational survey. The nationwide seat belt use rate was 91.2% in 2024.

2. Male vs. Female Usage: Seat belt use remains lower among males in Virginia than among females. Observational studies found that women consistently wear seat belts at higher rates than men​. In other words, female drivers and passengers in Virginia are more likely to buckle up, whereas males have comparatively lower seat belt use.

3. Unrestrained Fatalities: A significant proportion of Virginia’s crash fatalities involve unbelted occupants. In 2024, there were 5,299 crashes involving unrestrained vehicle occupants. Those crashes claimed 335 lives and injured 1,404 people. This means more than one third of those who died in Virginia traffic crashes were unrestrained at the time of the crash.

Each of the above statistics is drawn from the most recent official data . These figures underscore the importance of seat belt use – with males lagging behind females in buckling up, and a large number of fatal crash victims being unrestrained.

We partner with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Click It or Ticket campaign each May. The Click It or Ticket message reminds everyone to wear their seatbelt or face getting a ticket.

A seat belt is your best defense against a reckless, impaired, or distracted driver. Did you know that:

• Most fatal crashes occur at speeds below 40 mph and within 25 miles of your home.
• If you’re in a crash and are thrown from the vehicle you have a 75% chance of being killed. When worn correctly seatbelts reduce the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50%.
• Death rates are more than 8 times higher when the occupant is not buckled or restrained.
• In 60% of fatal crashes the victim isn’t buckled. However, when worn, seatbelts can reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45%

It’s simple: You’re safer in your car when you’re buckled. Your passengers are safer when they’re buckled. A seatbelt improves your odds of surviving a serious traffic crash.

Set a good example. Adults who don’t buckle up are sending children the message that it is all right to not wear a seat belt. Children model adult behavior. 70 percent of the time that a driver is unbuckled, you can bet that the children riding in that vehicle aren’t buckled either.

Wearing a safety belt is the law here in Virginia. It’s the law for a reason.

Headed out for a night of fun? If there’s even a chance you might drink, lock in a safe ride home before the party starts. It doesn’t take much alcohol to cloud your judgment behind the wheel. Choose a designated sober driver in advance so you can enjoy the night—and make it home safely.

✅ Designate BEFORE You Celebrate!

In 2024 in Virginia:

• 318 people died because of alcohol-related crashes.
• 4,306 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes.
• There were 6,767 alcohol-related crashes.

Choosing a designated driver could be one of the most important decisions you make!

It’s so easy:

• Cab Service
• Ride Sharing Service (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
• Designated Sober Driver in Your Group
• Phone a (Sober) Friend
• Many localities offer free ride services during the holidays.

With so many options available, now more than ever, there is simply no excuse for getting behind the wheel after drinking.

A designated sober driver is truly the Life of the Party!

Choose B4U Use

In Virginia, it’s illegal to operate a moving motor vehicle while holding a phone.

“But people do it all the time!”

How can you protect yourself against distracted drivers?

1. Buckle-Up! It’s your best defense against an impaired, distracted, or reckless driver.
2. Put down your phone. You need your eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel so you can react to hazards (such as distracted drivers).

Do you know…

• Nearly 20% of Virginia drivers do not wear their seat belts.
• Eight percent of fatal crashes, an estimated 13 percent of injury crashes, and an estimated 13 percent of all
  police-reported motor vehicle crashes in 2023 were reported as distraction-involved.
• In 2023 there were 3,275 people killed and an estimated additional 324,819 people injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers.
• Five percent of all drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes in 2023 were reported as distracted at the time
  of the crashes. Seven percent of drivers 15 to 20 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as
  distracted. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted at the time of the
  fatal crashes.
• In 2023 there were 611 nonoccupants (pedestrians, pedalcyclists, and others) killed by distraction-involved crashes.

Take action against distraction…

• Download an app. Enable a “Do Not Disturb” app to block incoming calls or messaging while the vehicle is in motion.
• Park before eating. Before you spill anything, pull into a safe space to eat or drink.
• Hands-free isn’t risk-free. Even if the phone isn’t in your hand, there are still dangers involved when a driver doesn’t fully concentrate on the road.
• Be a good passenger. Do your best to help the driver and be an extra set of eyes on the road.
• Have a plan. Plan to silence your phone, turn it off, or put it somewhere out of reach when you’re driving.
• Have a strong, clear policy. Make it a rule: No handheld phones while driving.
• Protect yourself. A seat belt is your best defense against a distracted driver.
• Speak up. Request your driver stop driving distracted. After all, your life is in their hands.
• Change your voicemail. Notify callers that you are driving or otherwise unavailable.

The “postcard” images at the top of this page are available for download from our Toolkits Page.

Phone Down. It’s the Law.

It is illegal in Virginia to hold a phone while driving.

There Are Some Exceptions

1. The operator of any emergency vehicle while he is engaged in the performance of his official duties;
2. An operator who is lawfully parked or stopped;
3. Any person using a handheld personal communications device to report an emergency;
4. The use of an amateur or a citizens band radio; or
5. The operator of any Department of Transportation vehicle or vehicle operated pursuant to the Department of Transportation safety service patrol program or pursuant to a contract with the Department of Transportation for, or that includes, traffic incident management services as defined in subsection B of § 46.2-920.1 during the performance of traffic incident management services.

Why Distracted Driving is a Problem

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified distracted driving as “a crisis that needs to be addressed now.”
• Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety found Virginia to be one of 11 states considered “dangerously behind” in driving safety laws.
• 80% of all crashes and 65% of all near crashes involve driver inattention within 3 seconds of the crash. (Virginia Tech)
• Texting (in essence manipulating a phone) while driving increases your crash risk by 2300%, because it involves all THREE kinds of distraction – manual, visual and cognitive. It is by far the most egregious form of distracted driving.
• In a Liberty Mutual survey, 80% of teens reported that they viewed APP use while driving as “not distracting.” (Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety)
• Motorists with smart phones use hand-held devices in 88 out of every 100 trips. Therefore, Zendrive estimates that there are about 600 million trips involving distracted driving in the US every day. (Zendrive)

F.A.Q

Q: Can I hold my cellphone in my hand while driving?

A: It is illegal for a driver to operate a motor vehicle while holding a cellphone or mobile device.

Q: Can I talk on my cellphone while driving?

A: Yes. But you may not hold the phone.

Q: What strategies have been adopted to ensure that the law will be fairly enforced?

A:

• The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and DRIVE SMART Virginia shall create training and educational materials on the implementation and enforcement of this act to be made available to law-enforcement agencies.
• DRIVE SMART Virginia and other traffic safety organizations shall develop and provide educational materials to the public regarding the provisions of this act prior to its effective date.
• The Chairmen of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee for Courts of Justice shall annually request the Office of the Executive Secretary to report all of the citations issued pursuant to the provisions of this act and, to the extent available, the relevant demographic characteristics of those persons issued a citation.

*Virginia residents only