HB102 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Randy Davis
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Phil Williams Blaine Galliher Alan Boothe Mary Sue McClurkin Kerry Rich April Weaver Ed Henry Wes Long Becky Nordgren Mac Buttram Ken Johnson Wayne Johnson Howard Sanderford Duwayne Bridges Barry Mask Mac McCutcheon Gregory Canfield Jay Love Mike Ball Jack Williams Joe Hubbard Chad Fincher Steve McMillan Jim McClendon Randy Wood Jim Barton Steve Clouse Daniel H. Boman
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Motor vehicles, text messaging or operating a handheld wireless telecommunication device while operating a motor vehicle on public street, road, or highway prohibited, penalties, law enforcement agencies to report statistical information to Public Safety Department and Attorney General
Summary: HB102 would ban texting while driving in Alabama, set fines and penalties, and require enforcement and reporting by police and state agencies.
What This Bill Does
It prohibits operating a vehicle on public roads while writing, sending, or reading text-based communications on a handheld wireless device, with hands-free voice-operated devices allowed. It defines what counts as a wireless device and as text-based communication. Violations carry escalating fines ($25 first, $50 second, $75 third or more), and a conviction would be a two-point addition to a driver’s record; officers may use this violation as the primary reason for a ticket. Revenue from fines is split (60% to the Department of Public Safety, 40% to the General Fund), and law enforcement agencies must report traffic-stop statistics by minority groups to the DPS and Attorney General. The bill is treated as creating a new crime, so it is exempt from local funding approval requirements under Amendment 621, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects
Drivers who operate motor vehicles while text messaging on handheld devices would face fines and points on their driving record.
Law enforcement agencies (including the Department of Public Safety) and local/state governmental entities, which would enforce the law, allocate funds from fines, and collect and report traffic-stop statistics (including minority group data) to the DPS and Attorney General.

Key Provisions
Prohibits writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication on a handheld wireless device while operating a motor vehicle on public roads.
Defines wireless telecommunications devices and what counts as text-based communications, with exceptions for hands-free, voice-operated devices.
Imposes fines: $25 for a first violation, $50 for a second, and $75 for a third or subsequent violation; allows enforcement as the primary reason for citation.
Convictions are recorded as a two-point violation on the driving record.
Distributes fines: 60% to the Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Division; 40% to the State General Fund.
Requires state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to collect and report monthly statistics on traffic stops by minority groups to the DPS and Attorney General.
Excludes local funding approval requirements under Amendment 621 because the bill defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
Effective date: first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles