Seat belts are a first defense against traffic injuries and fatalities.
Observational surveys conducted by the Alabama Department of Public Health find safety belt usage in Alabama remained at 52 percent for the second consecutive year in 1998. The national seat belt use rate currently is 69 percent. States which have primary seat belt laws typically have higher seat belt use rates than states with secondary laws such as Alabama's. Under primary enforcement, a citation can be written whenever a law enforcement officer sees an unbelted driver or passenger. Under secondary enforcement, an officer must first stop a motorist for another infraction.