HB451 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gil Isbell

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Motor vehicles, authorized emergency vehicles, use of emergency lights by district attorneys, authorized, Sec. 32-5A-115 am'd.

Summary

HB451 would let elected or appointed district attorneys use blue emergency lights on their vehicles for identification, expanding who may display blue lights beyond police.

What This Bill Does

Adds a new authorization allowing elected or appointed district attorneys to use blue lights on their vehicles for identification purposes. Keeps existing lighting rules for other emergency vehicles (police can use red or blue; fire/ambulance red; amber warning lights allowed but not for yielding the right of way), with the blue lights limited to identification rather than signaling emergency response. Establishes when the law would take effect: on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• District attorneys (elected or appointed) would be allowed to display blue emergency lights on their vehicles for identification purposes.
• Other drivers and emergency responders would continue to follow current lighting rules; blue lights would no longer be restricted solely to police for identification purposes.

Key Provisions

• Adds authorization in Section 32-5A-115 for elected or appointed district attorneys to use blue lights for identification purposes.
• Clarifies existing lighting color rules for other emergency vehicles remain in effect (police may display red or blue; fire/ambulance red; amber lights as warning only).
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles