SB144 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Gerald H. AllenJ.T. WaggonerDel MarshTrip PittmanArthur OrrGreg J. ReedPaul Bussman

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

SB144 would ban text messaging while driving in Alabama and establish penalties and data reporting requirements for enforcement.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits operating a motor vehicle on public roads while writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication on a handheld wireless device, with hands-free exceptions. It defines what counts as a wireless device and a text-based communication. It sets fines ($25 first, $50 second, $75 third or subsequent), makes the violation a two-point addition to the driving record, allows officers to cite as the primary reason, and requires agencies to collect and report minority traffic-stop data to the Department of Public Safety, with funds from enforcement going to the State General Fund. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after approval and is exempt from certain local-funding requirements due to specific constitutional exceptions.

Who It Affects

• Drivers and vehicle operators in Alabama, who would be prohibited from texting while driving and could face fines and two points on their driving record.
• Law enforcement agencies and the Department of Public Safety, which would enforce the rule, collect traffic-stop statistics on minority groups, and report monthly to the Department of Public Safety.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits operating a motor vehicle on a public road while using a wireless telecommunication device to write, send, or read a text-based communication.
• Defines wireless telecommunication device and what counts as writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication, including exceptions for voice-operated, hands-free use.
• Imposes fines: $25 for a first violation, $50 for a second, and $75 for a third or subsequent violation; makes conviction a two-point violation on the driving record.
• Allows law enforcement to treat the violation as the primary or sole reason for issuing a citation.
• Requires state and local enforcement to maintain statistics on traffic stops of minority groups and report monthly to the Department of Public Safety.
• Allocates funds from enforce­ment activities to the State General Fund.
• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month after the bill is passed and approved by the Governor.
• Excludes the bill from certain local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime or amends an existing crime.

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