HB2 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

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

Summary

HB2 would ban texting while driving on Alabama roads, set fines, and require reporting on traffic stops.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits operating a motor vehicle on public roads while writing, sending, or reading text-based communications on a handheld wireless device, and defines what counts as a wireless device and as text-based communication. It imposes escalating fines ($25 for a first violation, $50 for a second, and $75 for a third or subsequent violation) and allows law enforcement to issue citations for this offense as the primary reason. Convictions count as a two-point violation on the driver's record, and there are exceptions for emergencies, when the vehicle is parked on the shoulder, and for pre-programmed GPS directions (though programming coordinates while driving remains a violation). The bill also requires agencies to report traffic-stop statistics by minority groups to the Department of Public Safety, directs fines to the State General Fund, and specifies an effective date.

Who It Affects

• Drivers operating vehicles on public roads who text or read text messages while driving (subject to fines and penalties).
• Law enforcement agencies enforcing the law (authorized to issue citations as the primary reason).
• State and local government agencies required to collect and report traffic-stop statistics by minority groups to the Department of Public Safety.
• People who use devices for emergencies or GPS navigation in allowed scenarios (exception to the ban).

Key Provisions

• Defines wireless telecommunication device and what counts as writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication.
• Prohibits writing, sending, or reading text-based communications while driving on public roads and sets escalating fines ($25/$50/$75).
• Allows exceptions for emergencies, when the vehicle is parked on the shoulder, and for pre-programmed GPS directions (but programming coordinates while driving remains a violation).
• Conviction is recorded as a two-point violation; fines are allocated to the State General Fund; agencies must report traffic-stop statistics by minority groups to the Department of Public Safety; the act has an effective date and is excluded from certain constitutional requirements.

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