Alabama

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Alabama. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

Alabama
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Alabama
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Universal helmet law enacted 1967

Alabama
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

4 years

Alabama
Provisions for Mature Drivers

None

Alabama
Marijuana Possession and Use

Illegal

Alabama
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

Alabama
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

None

Alabama
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

Alabama
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

Alabama
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65

Alabama
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

65

Alabama
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

65

Alabama
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

65

Alabama
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.15

Alabama
Administrative license suspension on first offense

90 days

Alabama
Limited driving privileges during suspension

None

Alabama
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for high BAC (0.15 and above), refusal to provide BAC, presence of a child under 14 years of age, If someone besides the offender was injured at the time of the offense and all repeat offenders

Alabama
Open container laws

Yes

Alabama
Repeat Offender Laws

Yes

Alabama
Child Restraint Required

Up to 1 year old or 20 pounds must use a rear-facing seat
1 year or 20 pounds to 5 years or 40 pounds in a forward-facing seat
At least 5 years or 40 pounds to use a booster seat.
Booster seats until the child is six years of age.
 

Alabama
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

6-14 years

Alabama
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

No more than 1

Alabama
Full Privilege Minimum Age

17

Alabama
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

15

Alabama
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

Alabama
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

50; 0 with driver's ed.

Alabama
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

Alabama
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

Midnight - 6 a.m.

Alabama
Type of Law

Primary

Alabama
Who is Covered?

15 and over

Alabama
In What Seat?

All

Alabama
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Secondary Law.

Alabama
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes

Alabama
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

16, or 17 with Intermediate License for less than 6 months. Primary law.

Alabama
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Alabama
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

Specified jurisdictions

Alabama
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Alabama
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

Specified jurisdictions

Alabama
Speed Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law and city ordinance

Gov. Ivey Awards Over $7.6 Million for Alabama Highway Safety Enforcement

Governor Kay Ivey has awarded more than $7.6 million to enhance highway safety in Alabama and reduce the number of reckless drivers on the state’s roads. The grants provided to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the state’s traffic safety regions covering all 67 counties will help fund major highway safety campaigns including “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” The funds will also enable law enforcement agencies to increase traffic patrols in areas with high crash rates and other traffic violations.

New Report Analyzes Impact of Hands-Free Laws on Distracted Driving

GHSA and Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) today released a new report addressing the growing concern over smartphone-induced distracted driving. The report proposes states implement a multi-faceted approach to improve road safety that includes the adoption of strong and clear laws, which CMT research confirms have a positive impact on distraction rates.

Law enforcement officers cracking down on speeding during multi-state campaign

Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee are partnering again for Operation Southern Shield, a high visibility enforcement period focusing on speeding. Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety Director and GHSA Vice Chair Harris Blackwood discusses.

Law enforcement officers cracking down on speeding during multi-state campaign

Story by Isabel Hughes
July 11, 2018

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