The governor signed off on more vehicle safety restrictions for New York residents Tuesday, Aug. 11, specifically expanding the state's seat belt law to order all passengers older than 16 in vehicles to wear seat belts whether they sit in the front or back seats.

The new law takes effect Nov. 1.

Currently, passengers aged 16 and older are only required to wear a seat belt in the front passenger seat next to the driver.

In a press release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo cited the seat belt restrictions first put in place by his father, former governor Mario Cuomo. New York became the first state to pass a mandatory seat belt law in 1984 under the older Cuomo's administration.

In the same year, according to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, approximately 16 percent of individuals wore seat belts, the press release said. By 2008, 24 years after the law was enacted, the compliance rate was up to 89 percent, said the press release.

Cuomo's Traffic Safety Committee has indicated 30 percent of highway deaths in New York are occupants unrestrained by a seat belt.

According to the press release from the governor's office, safety experts believe the use of a backseat seat belt could prevent over two thirds of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from crashes.

This legislation seeks to reduce automobile accident fatalities and casualties by requiring all occupants of a motor vehicle to buckle up, the governor's office said.