HB575 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew SorrellAuditor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Motor vehicles, James Hooper Headlight Safety Act, recovery of damages in a negligence action further provided, Sec. 32-5-240 am'd.

Summary

Creates the James Hooper Headlight Safety Act and allows recovery of damages in certain negligence cases when the other driver violated headlight rules and was more than 50% at fault.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes the James Hooper Headlight Safety Act and updates Alabama's headlight rules, clarifying when headlights must be on and how lighting is assessed. It specifies conditions such as from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, when windshield wipers are in use due to rain or snow, and when there isn't enough light to clearly see people and vehicles at 500 feet. It adds a new negligence standard: if a plaintiff is contributorily negligent but the defendant is more than 50% at fault and violated the headlight rules, the plaintiff may still recover damages.

Who It Affects

• Drivers and vehicle owners in Alabama, who must follow the headlight safety rules set by the act.
• People involved in vehicle-related negligence lawsuits (plaintiffs and defendants), who may be able to recover damages even with contributory negligence if the other driver violated headlight requirements and was more than 50% at fault.

Key Provisions

• Creation of the James Hooper Headlight Safety Act and amendment to headlight requirements in Section 32-5-240 (times and circumstances headlights must be on, and related lighting rules).
• New liability rule: in a negligence action, if the plaintiff is contributorily negligent and the defendant is more than 50% negligent and in violation of headlight requirements, the plaintiff is not barred from recovery.

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