SB239 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Motor vehicles; elements of driving a vehicle in distracted manner changed

Summary

SB239 rewrites Alabama’s distracted-driving rules by clarifying what counts as operating a vehicle in a distracted manner, adding device-related prohibitions, and establishing penalties, exemptions, and enforcement rules.

What This Bill Does

It amends the distracted-driving elements to define stand-alone electronic devices and wireless devices and to list actions that would distract a driver. It makes holding or using such devices, texting or reading messages, watching video, recording video, or reaching for a device while driving a separate offense, with escalating fines for repeat offenses and a possible compliance option for first-time violators. It provides several exemptions for emergencies, hands-free use, GPS navigation with limited input, and certain professional duties, and allows a one-time police warning with no points on the driving record. The act becomes effective October 1, 2024 and is treated as exempt from local expenditure requirements under Section 111.05 of the Alabama Constitution due to defined exceptions.

Who It Affects

• Drivers age 18 and older would face new distracted-driving offenses for holding devices, texting, watching video, recording, or reaching for devices while driving, with escalating fines and a potential non-conviction option for first offenses.
• Public safety and utility personnel (e.g., law enforcement, emergency medical services personnel, firefighters, utility workers) and other professionals performing official duties have specified exemptions or allowances under the bill, especially during emergencies or official duties.

Key Provisions

• Defines stand-alone electronic device and wireless telecommunications device; clarifies which devices are subject to the distracted-driving rules.
• Prohibits actions such as holding a wireless device, holding or supporting a stand-alone electronic device, writing/sending/reading text-based communications, watching video, recording or broadcasting video, using multiple button/swipe actions to initiate/terminate voice communications, and reaching for a device in a way that distracts the driver; each violation is a separate offense.
• Grants penalties of a Class C misdemeanor with escalating fines (up to $50 for the first offense in 24 months, up to $100 for the second, up to $150 for the third or subsequent) and offers a court-ordered device-compliance option for first offenses, with no court costs and no custodial arrest solely for the offense.
• Lists numerous exceptions, including use for emergency services, parked vehicles on the shoulder, GPS navigation with manual input restrictions, hands-free or voice-activated use, recording devices used for recording, professional duties by first responders and utility workers, ignition interlock devices, and specific 18+ hand-use scenarios that avoid unsafe driving.
• Authorizes law enforcement to issue only written warnings for violations for 12 months starting June 14, 2023, with no driving-record points from warnings; sets an effective date of October 1, 2024; notes the bill is exempt from Section 111.05 local-funding requirements due to constitutional exceptions.

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 & Traffic