People v. Kohrig (1986)113 Ill.2d 384, 101 Ill.Dec. 650, 498 N.E.2d 1158

Añadido: 2026-05-28

[00:00:00]People versus Kohrig was a [music] 1986 Illinois Supreme Court case that dealt with the constitutionality of mandatory [music] seatbelt laws. In this case, four defendants received traffic citations for failing to wear seat safety belts while operating motor vehicles on Illinois highways, which violated section 12-603.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. The trial courts originally ruled that the law was unconstitutional and dismissed [music] the charges. So, the state appealed directly to the Illinois Supreme Court.

[00:00:31]The defendants argued that the statute violated the due process clauses of both the Illinois Constitution and the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution. Specifically, [music] they claimed the law interfered with their personal liberty and right to privacy by forcing individuals [music] to wear seat belts. The statute, which became effective on July 1st, 1985, required every driver and front seat passenger to wear a properly adjusted and fastened seatbelt. [music] Violating the law was considered a petty offense punishable by a fine of up to $25. The Illinois Supreme Court applied the rational basis test because [music] the court determined that wearing a seatbelt was not a fundamental constitutional right under rational basis review. A law is constitutional if it is reasonably related to a legitimate government interest. [music] The court held that the seatbelt law promoted public safety, reduced injuries and fatalities from automobile accidents, and lowered the financial costs associated with highway accidents.

[00:01:34][music] Because of these legitimate state interests, the court ruled that the statute was constitutional [music] and did not violate due process.