In Iowa, who is responsible for making sure all passengers are wearing seat belts?

In Iowa, the responsibility for ensuring that all passengers in the vehicle are wearing seat belts primarily falls on the driver. This means that the driver has a legal obligation not only to wear their own seat belt but also to make sure that all passengers comply with the seat belt law. The reasoning behind this is that the driver is in control of the vehicle and is responsible for the safety of everyone in the car. If an officer were to stop a vehicle and notice that passengers are not wearing their seat belts, the driver can be held accountable for that violation.

Individual passengers also bear responsibility for their own safety, particularly those in front seats or minors who must be properly restrained according to Iowa law. However, the overarching legal duty is on the driver, making the driver's role crucial in promoting compliance with this safety regulation.