Children under six years of age are required to use a child safety seat in their vehicles in Alabama. However, parents must be aware that these laws are a little more lenient than most states. They are also not applicable to taxis.
Car seat requirements in Alabama depend on the child’s weight and age. A rear facing car seat is required for children under one year old, while a forward facing seat is recommended for older infants and toddlers. Booster seats are also recommended for older children. If your child is under two years old, it is safest to keep him or her in a forward facing seat with a harness. It is best to use a seat with a five point harness that has a clip on the center of the chest near the armpits.
The law also requires that children in the backseat be buckled into their seats. If the backseat passenger is not properly restrained, they can be fined. Parents can avoid the hefty fine by making sure their kids are buckled into their seat.
Some states have also passed laws requiring front seat passengers to wear a seat belt. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website has a number of resources on how to inspect a car’s seats. This article discusses a few of the laws.
Alabama laws require that rear-facing child safety seats be used until a child weighs one year of age, while forward-facing seats must be used until the child weighs at least 20 pounds. If a child outgrows the forward-facing seat, he or she must be buckled into a booster seat. Once a child reaches eight, he or she can use a lap or shoulder seat belt. Unlike other states, Alabama has not adopted the’rear facing until two’ law.
If you have more than one child, you will be charged a $25 fine for each violation of the car seat requirements. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is leaving your children unrestrained in your vehicle. Leaving children in cars can result in serious injuries, especially if a sudden stop is made.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) enforces the laws by conducting compliance campaigns. They post information on their websites and on their social media pages. You can learn more about the car seat requirements in Alabama and the penalties associated with them. In addition, drivers who violate these laws can have their driving privileges suspended or receive points against their license.
As a result of the above car seat requirements, Alabama has been named the most dangerous state for children in the country. The Department of Public Health estimates that the lifetime risk of being injured in a motor vehicle crash is 54.1%. Even though the risk is higher than the national average, the state’s car seat rules can help to minimize the risks.
Besides the law, Alabama offers other ways to keep your family safe. Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft have to provide child restraint devices in the backseat for their riders.