Alabama car seat laws are very specific regarding the requirements imposed on drivers. The goal of these laws is to minimize the risk to children involved in motor vehicle accidents, whether they occur on freeways like I-59 or rural roads in Greene County.
Overview of Alabama Car Seat Laws
Every driver in the state must comply with Alabama car seat laws when they transport a child under 15 in any of the following motor vehicles:
- Passenger car
- Pickup truck
- Van seating 10 or fewer people
- Minivan
- Sports utility vehicle
All drivers are covered, including parents, extended relatives, and babysitters.
Alabama Car Seat Requirements by Age and Size
Children experience forces in traffic accidents differently than adults. Their bodies are less muscular and, thus, they require additional restraint to withstand the powerful forces generated by a collision.
Importantly, a child’s safety needs change as they grow. Alabama’s child seat law specifies the seat required at each stage in a child’s development as follows:
Rear-Facing Requirements
Seats must be used in the rear-facing position from birth until the child reaches one year old or 20 pounds in weight. Rear-facing seats support the child while resting on their back. This position minimizes the stress on the child’s neck during a collision.
Forward Facing Requirements
Forward-facing seats position the child in a seated position facing the front of the vehicle. However, the seat includes a back support and a headrest to minimize the child’s movement in a crash. Under Alabama law, the child must ride in a forward-facing seat until they reach five years old or 40 pounds, whichever occurs first.
Booster Seat Requirements
A child can graduate to a booster once they outgrow their car seat. A booster elevates the child so they can use the vehicle’s seat belt. Alabama requires booster seats until age six.
When Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat in Alabama?
The state recommends that children ride in the rear seat until they turn 13. However, no state law requires it.
Penalties for Violating Car Seat Laws in Alabama
The state assesses a $25 fine for violating Alabama car seat laws. However, the fine may be reduced or eliminated if the violator proves they acquired a child car seat.
Exceptions or Special Cases in Alabama
The law does not apply to taxis or vehicles designed to carry 11 or more people, such as school buses.
Need Legal Help With a Car Seat Violation?
ConsumerShield assists drivers who have violated car seat laws. Contact us for a free case evaluation to learn about your legal situation and receive an attorney referral.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Alabama normally bars any injury compensation for contributory negligence. However, the state’s car seat law specifically bars the application of contributory negligence for failing to restrain a child. Thus, an Alabama personal injury lawyer can seek compensation for your child’s injuries.
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After turning six, the child must wear a seat belt until they turn 15. After that point, the child is covered by the state’s seat belt law.
