Section 32-5B-1
Section 32-5B-1
Title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the 'Alabama Safety Belt Use Act of 1991.'
(Acts 1991, No. 91-255, p. 483, §1.)Section 32-5B-2
Section 32-5B-2
Definition of 'passenger car.'
For purposes of this chapter, the term 'passenger car' means a motor vehicle with motive power designed for carrying 10 or fewer passengers. Such term does not include a motorcycle or a trailer.
(Acts 1991, No. 91-255, p. 483, §2.)Section 32-5B-3
Section 32-5B-3
Legislative findings.
The Legislature finds that it is the policy of the State of Alabama that all precautionary measures be taken to save the lives of the state's citizens from vehicle accidents and thereby, to preserve the most valuable resource of the state.
(Acts 1991, No. 91-255, p. 483, §3.)Section 32-5B-4
Section 32-5B-4
Requirement of front seat occupants of passenger cars to wear safety belts; exemptions of certain persons.
(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 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 is unable for medical reasons to wear a safety belt.
(3) A rural letter carrier of the United States Postal Service while performing his 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.
(Acts 1991, No. 91-255, p. 483, §4.)Section 32-5B-5
Section 32-5B-5
Penalty for violations of chapter.
Any person violating the provisions of this chapter may be fined up to $25.00. The violation of the provisions of this chapter shall not constitute probable cause for search of the vehicle involved.
(Acts 1991, No. 91-255, p. 483, §5.)Section 32-5B-6
Section 32-5B-6
(Repealed effective December 9, 1999) Issuance of citation or warrant.
Repealed by Act 99–397, §1, effective December 9, 1999.
(Acts 1991, No. 91-255, p. 483, §6; Act 99–397, §1.)Section 32-5B-7
Section 32-5B-7
Failure to wear safety belt; not evidence of contributory negligence; liability of insurer not limited; driving record of individual charged.
Failure to wear a safety belt in violation of this chapter shall not be considered evidence of contributory negligence and shall not limit the liability of an insurer, nor shall the conviction be entered on the driving record of any individual charged under the provisions of this chapter.
(Acts 1991, No. 91-255, p. 483, §7.)Section 32-5B-8
Section 32-5B-8
Disposition of funds; searches; statistics.
(a) A person subject to a penalty pursuant to Section 32-5B-5, shall not be assessed court costs on a conviction.
(b) In any case brought by a law enforcement officer employed by the Department of Public Safety, sixty percent (60%) of the funds generated shall be allocated to the Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Division. The remaining forty percent (40%) of the funds shall be allocated to the State General Fund.
(c) A law enforcement officer may not search or inspect a motor vehicle, its content, the driver, or a passenger solely because of a violation of this chapter.
(d) Each state, county, and municipal police department must maintain statistical information on traffic stops of this nature on minorities and report that information monthly to the Department of Public Safety and the Attorney General.
(Act 99-397, §§ 3-5.)
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