MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A new state legislation aims to curb the number of motor vehicle-related deaths attributed to distracted driving. According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, nearly seven percent of Alabama's motor vehicle-related fatalities were linked to distracted driving in 2022. Responding to this trend, the Alabama Legislature enacted a law in 2023 designed to slow down the rising deaths caused by distracted drivers.
Starting June 2024, both state and local law enforcement officers will be issue citations to people caught making calls while holding a cell phone or engaging in texting, internet browsing, video functions, or other activities while holding a cell phone. The new law prohibits the use of cellular devices while driving, and violators will face misdemeanor traffic charges, fines, and points on their driving records.
Under the law, drivers can use a single button or a swipe of a finger to answer a call. Initially, a one-year grace period was granted, during which written warnings were issued. However, in June 2024, this grace period will expire. Alabama's new hands-free law is classified as a secondary offense, meaning that a citation can only be issued if the driver is seen committing another traffic offense.
“Distracted driving is one of the fastest growing safety issues on the roads today,” said Allison Green, Drive Safe Alabama coordinator for the Alabama Department of Transportation. “Distracted drivers aren’t just a threat to themselves; they are a danger to everyone else on the road.”
Penalties for violations of the hands-free law are as follows: a $50 fine and one point on the driving record for the first offense, then a $100 fine and two points for the second offense within 24 months, and a $150 fine with three points for subsequent offenses.
ALDOT offers the following tips on how to follow the new hands-free law:
- Utilize Hands-Free Technology: Use Bluetooth devices or dashboard mounts to keep the phone accessible yet out of reach.
- Plan Ahead: Set GPS navigation and music playlists before driving to minimize distractions while driving.
- Silence Notifications: Disable notifications, activate a "do not disturb" setting, or switch the phone to airplane mode to avoid the temptation of checking the phone while driving.
- Pull Over if Necessary: If phone usage is unavoidable, drive to a safe location off the road, such as a parking lot, before handling the phone.
- Put Your Phone Away: The simplest way to comply with Alabama's hands-free law is to stow the phone in the glove compartment, purse, or backseat. Keeping the phone out of sight ensures that the road remains the primary focus while driving.
The new hands-free law is dedicated to the memory of Leah Grace Tarvin, CiCi Lunsford, and Jay Kendall, three Alabamians whose tragic deaths were related to distracted driving.