HB96 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

James O. Gordon

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Motor vehicles, rules of the road, distance of three feet required when passing person on bicycle, civil penalties, Three Feet Please Act

Summary

This bill would require drivers to give bicyclists a three-foot buffer when passing and establish civil penalties if such violations cause serious injury or death.

What This Bill Does

It requires that when overtaking a bicycle, the motor vehicle passes to the left and maintains at least a three-foot distance until safely past. It creates civil penalties for violations that result in serious physical injury ($500) or death (up to $1,000), in addition to other penalties. There is an exception that the penalties do not apply if the bicyclist is injured in a vehicular lane where a designated bicycle lane or path is present and passable. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Motor vehicle drivers: must maintain a minimum three-foot passing distance when overtaking bicyclists and could face civil penalties if their passing causes serious injury or death.
• Bicyclists: may benefit from safer passing rules; there is an exception to penalties in certain lane situations where a designated bicycle lane or path exists and is passable.

Key Provisions

• Requires passing distance of at least three feet when overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction.
• Civil penalties for violations resulting in serious injury ($500) or death (up to $1,000), in addition to other penalties.
• Exception: subsection penalties do not apply to a bicyclist injured in a vehicular lane when a designated bicycle lane or path is present and passable.
• Effective date: first day of the third month following passage and governor approval.
• The act is titled the Three Feet Please Act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles