As an Alabama driver, it’s useful to review the diving laws of Alabama and incorporate any new laws into your daily driving routines.

According to the WSFA, recent laws changes and updates have passed beyond the grace period, so you must obey them. For example, the new seat belt law and Anti-Road Rage law have become enforceable. As a result, drivers and passengers must buckle up whenever the vehicle is operated on a public roadway. In addition, drivers can be ticketed once for every passenger that isn’t protected with a seat belt.

Legislators agree that the Anti-Road Rage Act was passed to change driving patterns on Alabama’s interstate highways. The law now requires using the far left lane for passing only, and your time for driving in the left lane is limited to 1.5 miles. Exceptions are made in heavy traffic congestion, bad weather, construction, and left-hand exits from the interstate.

After passing another vehicle, you must move back to the middle or right lane. These changes are designed to make it easier to pass another driver – one car at a time. Alabama State Troopers hope the new laws will make everyone more comfortable sharing the highway and reduce instances of drivers blocking the passing lane, which often leads to reckless driving practices that are commonly termed as “road rage.”

Review of Alabama’s Driver Regulations

Keeping current about Alabama’s rules and regulations for driving helps you drive more safely in the state, remember the basics of safe driving and have a great trip. Some of the general Alabama driving rules include:

• Pedestrian Right-of-Way: Pedestrians always have the right of way against vehicles, even if the pedestrians disobey the law.
• Automotive Right-of-Way: At Alabama intersections, no vehicle has the right of way, except those granted by traffic signals and stop signs. Drive cautiously and patiently when approaching an intersection.
• Headlights and Windshield Wipers: Alabama law requires turning on your headlights when operating your windshield wiper.
• Emergency Vehicles: You must allow 500 feet between your vehicle and any emergency vehicle. A recent change in the law requires vehicles to change lanes where emergency vehicles have stopped. Slow down, and pass the vehicle cautiously while maintaining a speed of 15 mph less than the speed limit.
• Mandatory Seat Belts for All: Passengers must now wear seat belts in front and back seats. Toddlers and infants must be secured in a child’s safety seat or booster seat.
• Parking and Turning: The law in Alabama permits a right turn at red lights as long as you follow any traffic instructions. Making U-turns is legal if you can make them safe while not impeding traffic.
• Parking Laws: Generally, parking laws for small towns and cities are posted, but beware of parking at curbs painted yellow or in front of a bridge.
• Blood Alcohol Limits: Alabama law now limits blood alcohol to 0.02% for drivers under 21. The rules allow drivers over 21 a maximum BAC of 0.08%.

Alabama Speed Limits

Alabama’s speed limits are comparable to those of other states, with a maximum speed of 70 mph on interstate highways and 15 mph in school zones. Always check the signs because some areas have surprising limits. School zones have a 15 mph limit, residential areas have a 25 mph limit, and unpaved county roads have a 35 mph limit. Highways usually have a limit between 45 mph and 55 mph. Roads with four or more lanes have a 65 mph limit.

Getting Local Legal Help

If you’re involved in an accident or traffic arrest in Alabama, it helps to hire a local lawyer with experience. Contact a Birmingham AL car accident lawyer to discuss your case, whether you caused a traffic accident or were the victim of one. In this latter situation, rely on your attorney to build a case and obtain a fair settlement to cover your medical bills (if you were injured), lost wages, and other losses.

Filing an insurance claim or initiating a lawsuit against the at-fault party is a complex process you should not start independently. You risk receiving less money than you deserve from the other party’s insurance company if you do. In some cases, they might even want to shift the blame on you and not pay you at all. So instead, find a law firm with a solid reputation in the state and an excellent track record of settlements and won cases.

Author:

Early in his journalism college years, Kerry Tucker had a revelation: there were not nearly enough law communicators. Peoples’ difficulties in understanding the law, procedures, and how the justice system worked stemmed from the fact that no one took the patience to explain complicated matters to them. Therefore, he took upon him the task of helping people navigate legal matters easier. He works with attorneys and other legal journalists, and spends time doing research so that everyone can find the actionable answers they are looking for.