SB148 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jim McClendon
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Motor vehicles, seat belt use required for each occupant while vehicle is in motion, fine increased, distrib., Secs. 32-5B-4 am'd.
Summary: SB148 would require every occupant of a moving passenger motor vehicle to wear a seat belt, expanding the current front-seat rule.
What This Bill Does
If passed, the bill would make all passengers in passenger cars wear seat belts while the vehicle is moving. It provides specific exemptions, including certain children, medical exemptions, rural letter carriers, newspaper or mail deliverers, older model-year cars, and vehicles that normally operate in reverse. The bill also notes an effective date and includes a provision about local funding rules under Amendment 621, stating the bill is excluded from those requirements because it defines a new crime or amends a crime definition.

Who It Affects
All occupants of passenger cars would be required to wear seat belts when the vehicle is moving.
Exempt groups: child passengers under the applicable child restraint rule, individuals with a physician's written exemption, rural U.S. Postal Service letter carriers, newspaper or mail deliverers, vehicles from model year before 1965, and passengers in vehicles that normally operate in reverse.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 32-5B-4 to require every front and rear seat occupant of a passenger car manufactured with safety belts to have a belt fastened when the vehicle is in motion.
Enumerates exemptions: (1) child passengers under Section 32-5-222, (2) medical exemption with a physician's statement, (3) rural letter carriers, (4) newspaper or mail deliverers, (5) pre-1965 model year vehicles, (6) vehicles that normally operate in reverse.
Notes the bill would involve a new or increased expenditure of local funds but is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because it defines a new crime or amends a crime definition.
Effective date: the first day of the third month after the bill is passed and approved by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles