HB249 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris SellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Motor vehicles, Alabama Move Over Act, require vehicles to move over when approaching a parked Department of Transportation vehicle, Sec. 32-5A-58.2 am'd.

Summary

HB249 would add Department of Transportation (DOT) vehicles with amber or white lights to Alabama's Move Over Act, requiring drivers to move over or slow down when approaching them.

What This Bill Does

It expands the Move Over Act to cover DOT vehicles with amber/white lights. On highways with multiple lanes, drivers must vacate the lane nearest the DOT vehicle or slow to at least 15 mph below the posted limit if it isn’t safe to move over; on two-lane roads, drivers must move as far away as possible and slow to 15 mph below the posted limit (or 10 mph if the limit is 20 mph or less). Violations are misdemeanors with fines of $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second, and $100 for the third or subsequent offenses; the Department of Public Safety will run an educational campaign and include this information in driver education materials. The act remains in effect three months after passage, clarifies that emergency vehicle drivers are not relieved of safety duties, and states the bill is exempt from local-funding voting requirements because it creates or changes a crime.

Who It Affects

• Drivers operating on interstates and other multi-lane roads who must follow the new move‑over/slow‑down requirements for DOT vehicles.
• Department of Transportation workers and other roadside workers, who gain increased protection from drivers slowing down or changing lanes.
• Local governments and taxpayers may face potential funding implications, but the bill is structured to avoid local-approval requirements by exceptions in the constitutional provision.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 32-5A-58.2 to include Department of Transportation vehicles displaying amber or white lights among the roadside vehicles that trigger the move-over/slow-down requirement.
• On multi-lane highways, drivers must vacate the lane closest to the affected vehicle or slow to at least 15 mph below the posted limit if moving over isn’t safe; on two-lane roads, drivers must move as far away as possible and slow to 15 mph below the limit (or 10 mph if the limit is 20 mph or less).
• Violations are misdemeanor offenses with fines: $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second, and $100 for third or subsequent offenses.
• Department of Public Safety must run an educational awareness campaign and include information in driver’s license educational materials after January 1, 2010.
• The act does not relieve emergency vehicle drivers of the duty to drive with due regard for safety.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and the Governor’s approval.
• The bill is explicitly exempt from local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends an existing 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