MONTGOMERY, Ala (WIAT)– Governor Kay Ivey has signed a bill that will make it illegal if backseat passengers are not wearing their seat belts. The bill was created in honor of high school basketball star Rod Scott who was killed in a car crash in 2016.
“He was headed to the playoffs in Birmingham, he was involved in a one-car accident, and he passed away on March 4th, 2016 from his injuries,” Ranita Scott, Rod’s mom, said.
He was a promising athlete on the court, but it’s his actions off the court that Scott holds dear.
“He loved people and he loved life, just an exceptional young man,” Scott said.
Thursday, Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Roderic Deshaun Scott Seat Belt Safety Act into law.
“I think he would be honored to have this bill named after him,” said Scott.
Rodric Scott’s dad says they wouldn’t want another family to feel their grief.
“His name will be out there on the seat belt law, he will forever be with us,” Rodney Scott said.
For the last two years, Rep. Kelvin Lawrence and fellow lawmakers have been working to get this bill passed.
“His high school motto was, “I will be something great and I will do something great,” he did that when he was on this earth and now he is still doing something good and something great,” Rep. Kelvin Lawrence said.
The fine for passengers not wearing their seat belts is $25, the law takes effect September 1.
Alabama becomes the 29th state to require seat belt use by rear seat vehicle occupants.
