FROM THE ARCHIVE: 1st day of driving when wearing seat belts became CA law in 1986

It only became required to buckle up 35 years ago

ByWillie Monroe KGO logo

Friday, January 1, 2021

When wearing seat belts became CA law: Jan. 1, 1986

Wearing seat belts became California law 35 years ago on January 1, 1986. Here's a look back on the first day of driving in the Bay Area.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Do you know people were once not required to wear seat belts---in California? Well, drivers and passengers in the Bay Area had to start buckling up when it became a law in California on January 1, 1986.

The legislation was authored by then Assembly Speaker and future San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) and signed into law by Gov. George Deukmejian in October 1985.

In this edition of "From The Archive," here's a look back on the day when wearing seat belts became state law reported by Willie Monroe on January 1, 1986.

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