SB69 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Larry MeansMayor

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Motor vehicles, trailers, safety devices required when connecting to motor vehicle, duties to Public Safety Department, penalties

Summary

SB69 would require a safety device to connect a trailer to a motor vehicle and establish penalties for noncompliance.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires a trailer to be attached using a safety device approved by the Department of Public Safety. If a trailer is towed without such a device, the driver could be charged with a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $100 fine or up to 3 months in jail. The device must be as strong as or stronger than safety chains, prevent detachment if the regular hitch fails, and not drop to the ground if it breaks. The Department of Public Safety would adopt rules to implement and enforce the requirements; the bill is structured to create a new local-funding impact but is exempt from certain local-funding approval requirements due to specified exceptions. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (or upon becoming law).

Who It Affects

• Trailer drivers/owners: must install and use a DPS-approved safety device when towing a trailer; noncompliance could lead to a misdemeanor penalty.
• Department of Public Safety: responsible for approving safety devices and issuing rules to implement and enforce the new law.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'safety device' as a locking mechanism that locks the trailer hitch into place between the trailer and the towing vehicle.
• Towing a trailer without an approved safety device is a Class C misdemeanor, with a fine up to $100 or imprisonment up to 3 months.
• The safety device must provide strength equal to or greater than safety chains, prevent trailer detachment if the regular coupling device fails, and be designed so the coupling device does not drop to the ground if it breaks.
• The Department of Public Safety must adopt rules to implement and enforce the section.
• The bill creates a new crime and is exempt from certain local-funding vote requirements under Amendment 621 of the Constitution.
• Effective date: first day of the third month after the bill is passed and approved by the Governor (or becomes law otherwise).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles