According to the Alabama law enforcement agency, anyone driving on state roads, highways, or highways in Alabama is required to protect their child by utilizing an appropriate restraint system that fulfills federal standards and criteria.
Children are more likely to be injured in car crashes than adults because their bones are softer, neck muscles are weaker and their bodies are more delicate. Alabama public health.
- Alabama Car Seat Law For Child Passengers 2021
- Alabama rear facing car seat laws
- Alabama front facing car seat lawÂ
- Alabama booster seat laws
- Alabama child safety belt law
- Alabama seat belt law
- Taxi Car Seat Law in Alabama
- Alabama law on leaving a child in a car
- Legal fees for car seat law violation in Alabama
- Car seat replacement law after accident in Alabama
- Is it illegal to smoke in a car with a child in Alabama?
- When can my child sit in the front seat in alabama?
- How much is a child restraint ticket in Alabama?
- Can You Leave a Child Unattended in a Car Seat?
- When can a child stop using a booster seat in Alabama?
- Do you have to wear a seat belt in the back seat in Alabama?
- Is a child car seat required in Alabama Taxi?
- Car Seat Inspections Help in Alabama
- How to choose the right car seat
- ALabama child passenger safety-related videos
- Additional info & resources on child passenger safety in Alabama
- USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
- Best Car Seats of 2022: Ranked by Our Experts
- Find trusted caregivers for your every need
Alabama Car Seat Law For Child Passengers 2021
According to Alabama child restraint law:
Every person transporting a child in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall provide for the protection of the child by properly using an aftermarket or integrated child passenger restraint system meeting applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and the requirements………… The term “motor vehicle” as used in this section shall include a passenger car, pickup truck, van (seating capacity of 10 or less), minivan, or sports utility vehicle.
Alabama rear facing car seat laws
Alabama car seat law says that,
Infant only seats and convertible seats used in the rear facing position for infants until at least one year of age or 20 pounds.
Alabama front facing car seat law
When a child outgrows a rear-facing safety seat, he or she will be moved to a forward-facing seat. Under the law of child restraint in Alabama,
Convertible seats (will be used) in the forward position or forward facing seats until the child is at least five years of age or 40 pounds.
Even if your child is over the age of five but weighs less than 40 pounds, he or she must still use a front-facing car seat.
Alabama booster seat laws
Under Alabama Regulation on car seat,
Booster seats (will be used) until the child is six years of age.
Alabama child safety belt law
Seat belts are compulsory for all children under the age of fifteen. The law enforcement department in Alabama says that,
Seat belts are mandatory for children under 15 years of age.
Alabama seat belt law
According to the Alabama’s seat belt law,
Each occupant of a motor vehicle shall have a safety belt properly fastened about his or her body at all times when the vehicle is in motion.
This law will not apply to:
- 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.
- 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.
- A rural letter carrier of the United States Postal Service while performing his or her duties as a rural letter carrier.
- A driver or passenger delivering newspapers or mail from house to house.
- Passengers in a passenger car with a model year prior to 1965.
- Passengers in motor vehicles which normally operate in reverse.
Taxi Car Seat Law in Alabama
By state of Alabama’s child restraint legislation,
Every person transporting a child shall be responsible for assuring that each child is properly restrained pursuant to this section. The provisions shall not apply to taxis and all motor vehicles with a seating capacity of 11 or more passengers.
Alabama law on leaving a child in a car
Under Alabama state law,
No person shall leave a child or an incapacitated person in a motor vehicle unattended in a manner that creates an unreasonable risk of injury or harm to the child or incapacitated person. A vehicle that has an ambient interior temperature of 99 degrees Fahrenheit or less shall be presumed safe.
Legal fees for car seat law violation in Alabama
According to Alabama child restraint law,
Car seat replacement law after accident in Alabama
There is no provision in the Alabama Child Restraints Law regarding the replacement of a car seat after an accident. But if the car seat is damaged after the accident, then the car seat should be replaced.
However, if the car crash is minor, the previous car seat can be reused. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) also recommends this. So what defines a minor crash? According to NHTSA,
A minor crash is one in which ALL of the following apply:
- The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site.
- The vehicle door nearest the car seat was not damaged.
- None of the passengers in the vehicle sustained any injuries in the crash.
- If the vehicle has airbags, the airbags didn’t deploy during the crash; and
- There is no visible damage to the car seat.
Is it illegal to smoke in a car with a child in Alabama?
“The Alabama House of Representatives approved a bill that would make it illegal to smoke in a car with children 14 or younger present.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham, passed the House 78 to 19. It goes to the Senate.
A person violating the law would be subject to a fine of up to $100. Law enforcement could only record a violation after pulling a driver over for another reason.” Source- montgomeryadvertiser.com
When can my child sit in the front seat in alabama?
The state of Alabama law has not specified the age. However, experts advise that children must outgrow their booster seat age and height limit and be at least 13 years old to sit in the front seat. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says,
Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to sit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to t properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Remember: your child should still ride in the back seat because it’s safer there.
A seatbelt should lie across the upper thighs and be snug across the shoulder and chest to restrain the child safely in a crash. It should not rest on the stomach area or across the neck.
See the infographic to know how to choose a proper car seat for your child.
How much is a child restraint ticket in Alabama?
According to Alabama child restraint law,
Each violation of the Alabama car seat laws is punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25). The fee for low-income families is $15. In addition to this fine, 1 point will be assessed for the first offense and 2 points for the second and subsequent offenses.
Can You Leave a Child Unattended in a Car Seat?
Yes, you can leave your baby unattended in the car for a while when there is no danger or risk for your child. According to Alabama state law,
No person shall leave a child or an incapacitated person in a motor vehicle unattended in a manner that creates an unreasonable risk of injury or harm to the child or incapacitated person. A vehicle that has an ambient interior temperature of 99 degrees Fahrenheit or less shall be presumed safe.
When can a child stop using a booster seat in Alabama?
Kids can stop using booster seats and switch to seat belts when they are over 6 years old. according to Alabama child restraint law,
Booster seats (will be used) until the child is six years of age.
Do you have to wear a seat belt in the back seat in Alabama?
Yes, you have to wear a seat belt in the back seat in Alabama. According to Section 32-5B-4 of Alabama seat belt law,
(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 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.
Is a child car seat required in Alabama Taxi?
Every person transporting a child shall be responsible for assuring that each child is properly restrained pursuant to this section. The provisions shall not apply to taxis and all motor vehicles with a seating capacity of 11 or more passengers. – Alabama child restraint law
Car Seat Inspections Help in Alabama
Get assistance at a car seat inspection station near you, whether you’ve just installed a car seat or need assistance installing or using one. In most situations, certified specialists will test your car seat for free and explain to you how to properly install and manage it.
Visit www.alabamapublichealth.gov to know more.
Car Seat Inspection Stations in Alabama
How to choose the right car seat
ALabama child passenger safety-related videos
Children’s of Alabama Car Seat Safety
Infants in rear-facing seats
Toddlers in forward-facing seats
Booster seat safety
Air bag safety for infants, toddlers, and children
Using LATCH to install car seats and booster seats
Additional info & resources on child passenger safety in Alabama
USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
FIND YOUR STATE’S CAR SEAT LAWS
Click on your state on the map below to see your state’s car seat law
Best Car Seats of 2022: Ranked by Our Experts
Read More:
