If a law enforcement officer cites a passenger for not wearing a seat belt, who can also be cited?

When a law enforcement officer cites a passenger for not wearing a seat belt, it is significant to note that California's laws impose specific responsibilities on drivers regarding seat belt usage for younger passengers. If the passenger is under the age of 16, the driver can be cited because it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all passengers under 16 are properly secured in their seat belts. This law emphasizes the driver's duty to promote safety by ensuring that younger passengers comply with seat belt regulations. Therefore, if a passenger under 16 receives a citation for not buckling up, it implicates the driver as they must ensure that all minors are harnessed correctly for safety and legal adherence.