RULES OF THE ROAD – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the failure to use safety restraints as evidence in civil actions to limit an injured party’s damages.

H 694 (Idaho Code § 49-673) prohibits using failure to wear a seatbelt as evidence in civil lawsuits involving car accidents. Specifically, it states that not wearing a safety restraint cannot be considered evidence of negligence or used to reduce an injured party's damages. This directly affects accident victims seeking compensation in court, ensuring their seatbelt status won't impact their claim. The bill also includes minor procedural updates to seatbelt enforcement rules but focuses primarily on this civil evidence change. The law will take effect July 1, 2026.