Statement from Sen. Jen Metzger on New Law Requiring All Back Seat Passengers to Wear Seat Belts in Vehicles

Requiring rear seat belts in cars is not a question of personal liberty, it's a common sense question of public safety. For years we’ve required young people under 16 to buckle up in the back seat, and I’m so pleased to see a bill that finally recognizes that the lives of those 17 and older are just as valuable signed into law here in New York state. Much like wearing safety belts in the front seat has reduced vehicular fatalities, this law will undoubtedly save lives."

State Senator Jen Metzger is a co-sponsor and driving force behind bill S4336 requiring the wearing of seat belts by back seat passengers over age 16 in motor vehicles. The bill passed both houses earlier this year and was signed into law by Governor Cuomo last week.

Jen Metzger represents the 42nd Senate District, which includes all of Sullivan County and parts of Delaware, Orange, and Ulster Counties. Senator Metzger serves as Chair of the Agriculture Committee and sits on the Environmental Conservation, Education, Health, Energy and Telecommunications, Local Government, Women’s Issues, Domestic Animal Welfare, and Legislative Commission on Rural Resources Committees. 

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