The constitutionality of mandatory seat belt use legislation.

672862PDFTech ReportVHRC 72-R15Seat beltsLegislationLegal rightsVirginiaVirginia Transportation Research CouncilAmes, W. Allen.Virginia Highway Research CouncilVirginia. Highway Safety DivisionNTL-LAWS AND REGULATIONS-LAWS AND REGULATIONSNTL-LAWS AND REGULATIONS-Federal LawsNTL-LAWS AND REGULATIONS-Federal Standards and RulesNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Highway SafetyNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Human FactorsNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-SAFETY AND SECURITYUS Transportation CollectionA number of trends indicate that mandatory seat belt use legislation is to be expected within the near future. The constitutionality of such self-protective legislation has been the subject of recent speculation. Constitutional challenges may be expected to come in the areas of due process, equal protection, and right to privacy. Recent decisions dealing with motorcycle helmet legislation form a basis for discussion of the constitutional issues involved. These decisions illustrate principles upon which the courts could sustain mandatory seat belt use legislation as constitutionally valid