Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in Alaska

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain who must wear a seat belt and who is responsible for each passenger.
• You can choose the right restraint for a child by age, height and weight.
• You can state the fines and points for belt and child seat offenses.
• You can describe Alaska's ban on texting and screens while driving.
• You can set up your car and phone to avoid distraction before you drive.

What you need to know and understand

• Every person in the vehicle must use a seat belt or appropriate child restraint (AS 28.05.095).
• Passengers aged 18 and older are cited themselves for not wearing a belt. The driver is responsible for passengers under 16.
• A driver can be fined up to $50 and get 2 points for failing to restrain a passenger under 16.
• An adult who does not wear a belt faces a $15 fine.
• Texting while driving is illegal, and so is driving with a visual screen device operating. AS 28.35.161 lists the prohibited uses.
• A lap and shoulder belt gives the best protection. A lap belt alone does not stop your head and chest hitting the wheel or dashboard.

Child restraint stages under Alaska law

The manual also passes on pediatric advice: keep children rear-facing as long as the seat allows, and seat children under 13 in the back.

• Under 1 year old, or 1 or older but under 20 pounds: rear-facing child safety seat.
• Age 1 to under 5 and at least 20 pounds: a child restraint that meets federal standards.
• Over 4 and under 8, under 57 inches tall and 20 to under 65 pounds: a booster seat used with a seat belt, or another approved restraint.
• Over 4 and above those height or weight limits: a seat belt.
• Age 8 to under 16: a seat belt or an approved child safety device, whichever suits the child.

Phones and screens

Do not text, browse or read email while driving. It is against the law in Alaska and the penalties are severe, especially if someone is injured or killed. Any screen showing video or other content that the driver can see must not be operating while you drive.

Even a hands-free call divides your attention. The safest choice is to set your phone to silent before you start, or pull over somewhere safe if you need to use it.

Other distractions to plan away

1. Set your route and music before moving off.
2. Ask a passenger to handle navigation and messages.
3. Secure pets so they cannot move around the car.
4. Pull over safely to deal with children or spills.
5. Avoid eating, grooming or reading while driving.

Common mistakes

• Moving off before checking that young passengers are buckled. You are responsible for everyone under 16.
• Moving a child to a seat belt too early. Check height and weight, not just age.
• Glancing at a phone at red lights. You are still driving and must stay focused.
• Wearing the shoulder strap under the arm, which gives poor protection in a crash.

Test yourself: Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in Alaska

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Alaska Permit Practice Test
• Alaska 40 Hour Supervised Driving Certification Checklist
• Alaska Off-Highway Driver’s License