HB519 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Nathaniel LedbetterRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Motor vehicles or trailers, logs, pulpwood, poles, or posts being transported, amber strobe light or amber LED light displayed under certain conditions, warning flag displayed under certain conditions at the end of the load

Summary

HB519 would require amber warning lights and width-representing flags on long loads (logs, long pulpwood, poles, or posts) that extend beyond the rear of a vehicle.

What This Bill Does

If a load extends more than four feet beyond the rear of the vehicle, the vehicle must have an amber strobe or amber LED light flashing at least 60 times per minute and visible at least 500 feet from the rear and the sides. If one light cannot meet visibility, multiple lights must be used. An 18-inch square red or orange fluorescent warning flag must be placed at the rear of the projecting load: one flag if the load is two feet wide or less, or two flags if wider than two feet to indicate the maximum width. The light must be durable, may be powered by the vehicle or an independent battery (with spare charged batteries if the independent battery is used), and at least 85% of LED lights must be operable. The lights must be on during day or night when the vehicle is on a highway or parked near the traveled portion of the road. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

Who It Affects

• Operators/drivers of motor vehicles or trailers transporting logs, long pulpwood, poles, or posts that extend more than four feet beyond the rear of the vehicle must install and maintain amber warning lights and flags.
• Pickup/trucking companies or vehicle owners who transport the specified loads; they may incur costs for additional lighting, flags, and potential spare batteries, and must ensure compliance.

Key Provisions

• Require one amber strobe light or amber LED light with a multidirectional lens, mounted to be visibly clear from at least 500 feet to the rear and both sides of the load.
• If a single light cannot meet visibility, require multiple lights to achieve the 500-foot rear/side visibility.
• Amber light must flash at least 60 times per minute and operate at all times when the vehicle is on a highway or parked on the shoulder or next to the traveled roadway.
• If an amber LED is used, it must be durable, weather-resistant, and may be powered by the vehicle or an independent battery system (or both); if powered by an independent battery, the driver must carry a spare charged set of batteries.
• Ensure at least 85% of LED lights in a solid-state system remain operable.
• Attach at the extreme rear of the projecting load warning flags: one 18-inch square flag if the load is two feet wide or less; two flags if wider than two feet, positioned to indicate the maximum width extending beyond the rear.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval by the Governor.

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