HB203 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Motor vehicles, Anti-Road Rage Act, established, right side driving required, exceptions, Sec. 32-5A-80 am'd.

Summary

HB203, the Anti-Road Rage Act, would require interstate drivers to stay in the right lanes unless passing and adds temporary warning enforcement, with related lane rules on other roads.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 32-5A-80 to require vehicles on interstate highways to travel in the right lanes unless passing, and limits how long the left lane can be used (no more than 1.5 miles without passing). It keeps general right-side driving rules on all roadways and specifies exceptions to the left-lane rule (such as congestion, weather, obeying laws, exiting, tolls, emergency vehicles, and highway maintenance). It also establishes a 60-day period after the act’s effective date during which law enforcement may issue only warning citations for interstate left-lane violations, and sets the law to take effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Drivers on interstate highways: must use right lanes and pass only in the left lane, with a 1.5-mile limit for staying in the left lane unless passing.
• Law enforcement, emergency responders, and highway maintenance crews: enforcement of the rule is accompanied by a 60-day warning period for interstate left-lane violations; these groups are exempt when operating emergency vehicles or maintenance work per the bill.

Key Provisions

• Interstate lane rule: on interstates, travel in the right lanes unless passing; leftmost lane may be used only for passing and cannot be left in for more than 1.5 miles without passing.
• General road rules: on all roadways, drivers should use the right half of the roadway; exceptions include overtaking, obstructions, three-lane roads, or one-way roadways.
• Four-lane road rule: on roadways with four or more lanes, no vehicle may drive left of the center line except as allowed by traffic signals or for certain left-turns; other center-line exceptions apply as specified.
• Listed exceptions to left-lane restrictions: congestion, weather, compliance with laws, exiting to the left, tolls, authorized emergency vehicles, and highway maintenance or construction.
• Enforcement and effective date: a 60-day period after the act’s effective date during which only warning citations may be issued for interstate left-lane violations; the act becomes effective on the 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