SB 254

Under existing law, a front seat occupant of a passenger car is required to have a safety belt properly fastened about his or her body at all times when the vehicle is in motion

This bill would require all occupants of a passenger car to have a safety belt properly fastened at all times when the vehicle is in motion

Relating to motor vehicles; to create the Roderick Scott Safety Belt Use Act of 2019; and to require all occupants of a passenger car to have a safety belt properly fastened when the vehicle is in motion, with exceptions.

Section 1

Sections 32-5B-1 and 32-5B-4, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:

§32-5B-1.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the

Alabama Safety Belt Use Act of 1991." Roderick Scott Safety Belt Use Act of 2019.

§32-5B-4.

(a) Each front seat occupant of a passenger car manufactured with safety belts in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 shall have a safety belt properly fastened about his or her body at all times when the vehicle is in motion.

(b) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to:

(1) A child passenger under the purview of Section 32-5-222, who is required to use a child passenger restraint system or a seat belt pursuant to Section 32-5-222.

(2) An occupant of a passenger car who possesses a written statement from a licensed physician that he or she is unable for medical reasons to wear a safety belt.

(3) A rural letter carrier of the United States Postal Service while performing his or her duties as a rural letter carrier.

(4) A driver or passenger delivering newspapers or mail from house to house.

(5) Passengers in a passenger car with model year prior to 1965.

(6) Passengers in motor vehicles which normally operate in reverse."

Section 2

This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.