New Alabama Seat Belt Law Goes Into Effect Sept. 1

MONTGOMERY, AL — Labor Day weekend is a a busy weekend for Alabama's roadways, with families traveling to lakes, beaches and mountains. But motorists this weekend will need to adhere to Alabama's new seat belt law, which goes into effect September 1.

The new law requires back seat passengers to have their seat belts buckled. This violation is considered a secondary violation, meaning a ticket can only be written if the car was already stopped or stopped for another offense. State law already requires front seat passengers be buckled up.

A study by the U.S. Department of Transportation showed that adult rear-row occupants were less likely to use seat belts, with just 70 percent of those ages 20 to 54, and 86 percent of those 55 and older using restraints. That compares with 99 percent for infants, 96 percent for those 4 to 8 and 93 percent for 9 to 12.