Alabama seat belt laws require most adults in a vehicle to wear seat belts that meet the federal government’s standards. Children need to be in an approved age- and size-appropriate car or booster seat. The laws have some exceptions—such as for people who work for the United States Postal Service—where people in vehicles don’t have to wear a seatbelt while driving.
Steve Morris Law has helped dozens of victims and their loved ones pick up the pieces after a careless motorist causes an accident. We stay up to date on changes in the roadway safety laws in Alabama to equip us with the knowledge needed to create agile and effective legal strategies.
What Are the Alabama Seat Belt Laws?
Code of Alabama Section 32-5B-4 requires all adult occupants in a car to use a seatbelt if they are driving a vehicle whose model year is 1965 or newer. If someone has a particular medical condition that keeps them from wearing a seat belt, they may not have to put one on if they have a written note from their doctor. Additionally, young children should be in a car or booster seat. People who violate Alabama’s seat belt laws may have to pay fines.
Child restraint and safety seat laws in Alabama
Children should be in a seat that fits their size and age. The Code of Alabama and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have helpful guidelines for how to transport children in a vehicle safely.
For example, infants under one year old or children less than 20 pounds should be in a rear-facing car seat. Once children are five years old or 40 pounds, they may be able to transition to a forward-facing convertible car seat.
Enforcement of and penalties for violating the seat belt laws
If police notice that a driver or front passenger isn’t wearing a seat belt, and they should be, they may pull the vehicle over and issue a ticket. There are restrictions about when an officer can pull someone over for violating the seat belt laws and when they cannot.
For example, the police may not have the authority to pull someone over and issue a ticket because someone in the rear of the vehicle is the person who violated the seat belt rules. An exception to this might be if the police pulled over the driver for another reason—such as failure to use a turn signal.
How Much Is a Seatbelt Ticket in Alabama?
The adult who wasn’t following the seat belt law may get a ticket and have to pay a $25 fine. If a child is the one in violation, the appropriate adult in the car may be the one given a ticket. Depending on the circumstances, this might be the driver or the child’s parent or caregiver (if they are in the vehicle). That said, a ticket for not wearing a seat belt may not go on your driving record.
The Impact of Not Wearing a Seat Belt
Seat belts play a significant role in your safety when you’re on the road. They secure your physical body during a collision and help to prevent other types of harm you may experience without this protection. Likewise, they keep your child safe in their regular or booster seat. As explained by the Alabama Department of Public Health, having a seat belt on reduces a front occupant’s risk of dying in a crash by about 45 percent.
Under Alabama law, the at-fault driver may not be able to limit their liability by showing evidence that the victim wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. So, you may still be able to sue the person or business that caused the collision even if you didn’t have a safety belt on at the time of the crash.
Steve Morris Law Can Assist You After an Auto Accident
When you are in a collision, and someone in the vehicle wasn’t wearing a seat belt, you may have questions about how this impacts your liability. Under the Alabama seat belt law, you may still qualify to sue the at-fault driver to recover compensation for your related losses. For example, you may seek reimbursement for your lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses.
Steve Morris Law stands ready to fight for you during this time. Our steadfast roster of advocates dedicates their time and energy to helping victims pick up the pieces after a terrible accident. We understand what you’re going through, and our Alabama attorneys would like to meet with you to see how we can help. Call us today at 256-357-9211 to set up an initial consultation to talk about your legal needs.
