SB196 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Motor vehicles, crime of endangerment of a highway worker in a construction zone, created, exceptions, penalties, Marshall James Walton Highway Worker Safety Act, established

Summary

SB196 would create a new crime called endangerment of a highway worker in a construction zone, with escalating penalties for harming or risking highway workers.

What This Bill Does

It defines endangerment of a highway worker in a construction zone and lists specific actions that qualify, such as speeding, ignoring flaggers, driving in an unmarked lane, assaulting a worker, moving barriers or signs, and certain traffic offenses in the zone. Most convictions require that a highway worker is present in the construction zone at the time, with a specific exception for the barrier-related offense. Penalties escalate with outcomes: no injury is a Class C misdemeanor, injury is a Class A misdemeanor, and death is a Class C felony. The act would take effect three months after passage and governor approval, and it notes an exemption from local-funds expenditure requirements because it creates a new crime.

Who It Affects

• Highway workers in construction zones, who are protected by the new crime and whose presence in the zone is tied to most convictions.
• Drivers and other motorists in construction zones, who could be charged with endangerment for speeding, failing to stop for flaggers, driving inappropriately through the zone, assaulting or threatening workers, moving barriers, or committing certain traffic offenses within the zone.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Marshall James Walton Highway Worker Safety Act and the crime of endangerment of a highway worker in a construction zone.
• Defines actions that constitute endangerment, including speeding more than 15 mph over the limit, failing to stop for flaggers or traffic controls, driving through the zone in an undesignated lane, assaulting or threatening a worker, and moving barriers or signs.
• Also includes violations committed in the construction zone of listed offenses such as reckless driving, DUI, texting while driving, license violations, leaving the scene or failing to report, and any felony involving the use of a motor vehicle.
• Penalties: no injury = Class C misdemeanor; injury = Class A misdemeanor; death = Class C felony.
• Except for the barrier-related offense, conviction generally requires that one or more highway workers were in the construction zone at the time.
• Cannot convict for acts resulting from mechanical failure or another’s negligence.
• Effective date: first day of the third month after passage and governor’s approval.
• Exemption from Amendment 621 local-funds expenditure requirements because the bill defines a new crime.

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