
Texas: New Rear Seat Belt Rules Coming Soon – What Drivers Should Know
Texans, a big change is coming to passenger vehicles nationwide. Starting September 2027, all new vehicles will have to alert rear-seat passengers to buckle up, according to a new rule finalized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The goal? To save lives. Rear seat belt usage trails front seat belts—82% compared to 92%—and in 2022, half of crash fatalities involved unbelted passengers.
Here’s what to know:
- Rear Seat Alerts: Vehicles will sound alarms if rear passengers don’t fasten their seat belts, expanding beyond driver-only alerts.
- Stronger Front Warnings: Starting September 2026, vehicles will also extend audio and visual warnings for drivers and front-seat passengers.
- Vehicles Affected: The rule applies to cars, trucks, and SUVs weighing up to 10,000 pounds. It excludes school buses.
The NHTSA expects the new requirements to save 50 lives annually and prevent 500 injuries. Safety experts welcome the move and continue pushing for more advancements, including impaired-driving prevention technology.
Texas drivers can expect these updates in new vehicles starting in the coming years.
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