HB504 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Motor vehicles, a law enforcement officers authorized to remove disabled vehicles from a roadway, immunity, Sec. 32-10-1 am'd.

Summary

HB504 lets law enforcement move disabled vehicles from roadways after accidents, provides immunity to officers for doing so, and adds license revocation for violators.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes law enforcement officers and Department of Transportation staff to move a disabled vehicle from a roadway if it creates a traffic hazard or obstruction, and it allows drivers who are not injured and not impaired to move their drivable vehicle to a nearby safe location. Vehicles involved in accidents with injuries or deaths must not be moved until directed by an officer. It provides immunity from damages for personnel moving vehicles under this section and includes liability rules for claims arising from their actions, plus license revocation for someone convicted under the section; it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Drivers involved in accidents: may be allowed or required to move a drivable vehicle if no injuries and safe to do so, and could face license revocation if convicted under the section.
• Law enforcement officers and DOT/state or local agencies: gain authority to move disabled vehicles from roadways to reduce hazards, and receive immunity from damages for actions taken under this section.

Key Provisions

• Authorized personnel (DOT or law enforcement) may move a vehicle disabled by an accident if it creates a traffic hazard or obstructs traffic, or require it to be moved.
• Drivers of non-injured, unimpaired vehicles may move their drivable vehicle to a nearby safe location and must return to the scene when possible.
• Vehicles involved in accidents with injury or death may not be moved until directed by a law enforcement officer.
• Personnel moving vehicles under this section are immune from damages; existing liability processes apply for claims arising from the authority exercised.
• The director must revoke the driver's license of a person convicted under this section.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and 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