SB172 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Motor vehicles, motorist required to move over or reduce speed when approaching Transportation Department vehicle under certain conditions, penalties, Sec. 32-5A-58.2 am'd.

Summary

SB172 would require drivers to move over or slow down for Department of Transportation vehicles with amber lights or parked on the roadside, expanding Move Over rules.

What This Bill Does

When a DOT vehicle displaying amber lights is parked or a roadside work crew is present, drivers must move to a safe lane or slow down according to road type. Violations are misdemeanors with fines starting at $25 and rising to $100 for repeat offenses. The Department of Public Safety would run an educational campaign and include this rule in new driver education materials; enforcement includes an initial six-month warning period, and drivers must still respect safety rules for emergency vehicles.

Who It Affects

• Drivers on interstate and multi-lane highways near DOT vehicles or roadside work who must move over or slow down under the new rules.
• Department of Public Safety and law enforcement agencies, which would educate the public, enforce the penalties, and issue warning citations initially.

Key Provisions

• Extends the Move Over requirement to Department of Transportation vehicles displaying amber lights when parked or working roadside.
• On interstate highways or other multi-lane roads: vacate the lane closest to the vehicle unless directed by a law enforcement officer; if not safe to move over, slow to at least 15 mph below the posted speed limit.
• On two-lane roads: move as far away from the vehicle as possible within the lane and slow to 15 mph below the posted limit if the limit is 25 mph or greater, or slow to 10 mph if the limit is 20 mph or less, unless directed by an officer.
• Violations are misdemeanors with fines of $25 for the first, $50 for the second, and $100 for third or subsequent offenses.
• The Department of Public Safety must run an educational awareness campaign and include this section in new driver's license educational materials after January 1, 2010.
• Notwithstanding the move-over requirements, drivers must still exercise due regard for the safety of authorized emergency vehicles.
• Enforcement may begin with a warning citation for six months after August 1, 2009.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval.

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