SB9 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald H. AllenSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Motor vehicles, overtaking and passing bicycles, must maintain safe distance of at least three feet from bicycle, definition of safe distance, Sec. 32-5A-82 am'd.
Summary: This bill defines a minimum safe passing distance for overtaking bicycles as three feet.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, it amends the bicycle passing rule to explicitly define 'safe distance' as at least three feet. It updates Section 32-5A-82 to apply this three-foot rule specifically to vehicles overtaking and passing bicycles, while maintaining existing passing rules for other vehicles. It requires drivers to pass bicycles at or beyond this minimum distance and to maintain clearance until safely past.

Who It Affects
Drivers of motor vehicles: must give bicyclists at least a three-foot clearance when overtaking and passing.
Bicyclists: gain clearer protection from being passed too closely by motor vehicles.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 32-5A-82 to add a definition of safe distance for overtaking and passing a bicycle.
Defines 'safe distance' for bicycles as not less than three feet.
Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor's 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