SB254 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: David Burkette
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Motor vehicles, Roderick Scott Safety Belt Use Act of 2019, safety belt use further provided, Secs. 32-5B-1, 32-5B-4 am'd.
Summary: The bill requires front-seat occupants of passenger cars to wear seat belts when the car is moving, with specific exemptions and enforcement rules.
What This Bill Does
It would make wearing a seat belt mandatory for front-seat occupants in passenger cars that have safety belts meeting federal standards. An adult in violation could be charged with the offense. Violations by people in seats other than the front seats would be a secondary offense, only after a lawful stop for another violation. The bill also lists several exemptions (children, medical waivers, rural postal workers, newspaper/mail deliverers, older cars, and vehicles that normally operate in reverse) and sets an effective date after governor approval.

Who It Affects
Front-seat occupants of passenger cars with safety belts: required to have the belt fastened whenever the vehicle is moving; violations would be charged to adult occupants.
Exemption groups: includes child passengers under applicable child restraint rules, individuals with a physician-stated medical waiver, rural U.S. Postal Service letter carriers, people delivering newspapers or mail, vehicles model year before 1965, and vehicles that normally operate in reverse.

Key Provisions
Front-seat occupants must have their safety belt properly fastened at all times when the vehicle is in motion.
An adult occupant who violates the front-seat requirement can be charged; violations in non-front seats are secondary offenses after a lawful stop for another violation.
Exemptions from the rule include: child passengers under the applicable child restraint law, medical waivers, rural USPS workers, newspaper/mail deliverers, vehicles older than 1965, and vehicles that normally operate in reverse.
The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and is 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