HB158 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris SellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Motor vehicles, Alabama Move Over Act, vehicles required to move over when approaching a Transportation Dept. vehicle on roadside with flashing lights, Sec. 32-5A-58.2 am'd.

Summary

HB 158 expands Alabama's Move Over Act to require drivers to move over or slow down for Department of Transportation vehicles with amber or white flashing lights and other roadside workers, with penalties and an educational campaign.

What This Bill Does

It adds DOT vehicles with amber or white lights to the list of vehicles that trigger a move-over or slow-down. On multi-lane roads, drivers must vacate the lane nearest the stopped 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 when the limit is 20 mph or less). Violations are misdemeanors with escalating fines ($25, $50, $100). The Department of Public Safety must run an educational campaign and include the rules in driver education materials, and drivers must still drive with due regard for safety.

Who It Affects

• Drivers and motorists: must follow the new move-over/slow-down requirements on highways when approaching listed roadside vehicles.
• Roadside workers and operators: include DOT workers, law enforcement, emergency responders, wreckers, utility workers, and garbage/trash/recycling collection crews who work on or along roads and rely on cautious driving from others.

Key Provisions

• Expands the Alabama Move Over Act (32-5A-58.2) to include Department of Transportation vehicles displaying amber or white flashing lights in the list of vehicles that trigger a move-over or slow-down when approached.
• Outlines specific actions by drivers depending on road type: on multi-lane highways, vacate the lane closest to the protected vehicle or slow to at least 15 mph below the posted limit if moving over isn’t safe; on two-lane roads, 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).
• Establishes misdemeanor penalties for violations: $25 for first, $50 for second, and $100 for third and subsequent violations.
• Requires the Department of Public Safety to run an educational awareness campaign and include information in driver education materials.
• States that the duty to drive safely remains and drivers must exercise due regard for safety.
• Local funding exemption note: the bill is exempt from local funds 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