Code of the Road

When you’re on the road, respect the code!

Learn the Code

Following the practices below will help make driving in Alabama safer and more enjoyable.

BE ALERT

When your eyes are on the phone and not on the road, it’s incredibly dangerous. Everyone knows this, but many Alabamians do this regularly, putting themselves, their passengers, and others on the road at risk of injury or death. Put the phone down and drive.

MAKE ROOM FOR MOTORCYCLES

Give them space on the road, even if that means waiting to drive around them until oncoming traffic subsides. You have an entire car made of metal, plastic, and glass to protect you in a collision. Bikers might only have a helmet.

PULL OVER FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES

Ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars have ear-piercingly loud sirens and bright flashing lights, yet some drivers pretend not to notice and fail to pull over to clear a path for these emergency vehicles. Just get out of the way.

ALL OCCUPANTS BUCKLE UP

Really, do we have to remind you about this again? Buckle up for safety and out of respect for your driver.

PAY ATTENTION WHEN SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT

We’re all tempted to stare at our phones for a few moments while waiting at a stoplight, but please. If you’re distracted and don’t see that the light has turned green or that traffic ahead of you has moved on, you’ll be holding up other motorists who have places to be.

NO KIDS OR PETS LEFT INSIDE HOT CARS

Never, ever, leave your child or pet inside the vehicle, not even for a minute. It’s literally deadly, so please don’t do it.

KEEP RIGHT, EXCEPT TO PASS

No one loves being held up on a multi-lane highway by a slow driver in the left lane. Move over to the right for others to pass.

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

Following the driver ahead of you too closely is dangerous, and rear-end collisions account for nearly 30% of highway crashes. So curtail the tailgating.

DRIVE SOBER

This one is rather obvious and despite understanding the dangers, people still often take the risk. Staying sober means NO alcohol or drugs (legal or illegal) including marijuana, edibles (anything with THC for that matter), opioids, methamphetamines, or any impairing substance behind the wheel, please!

LET THE DRIVER DRIVE

That funny meme you just got on social media can wait until later. Don’t try to show the driver something on your phone while he or she is driving. It’s just as dangerous as if they were texting and driving. Likewise, minimize other distracting behaviors while riding shotgun.

USE YOUR TURN SIGNAL, REALLY

PLEASE, use your blinkers, aka turn signal. Letting other drivers know your intention to merge or turn is not only the courteous thing to do but, it’s also safer.

CURB YOUR ROAD RAGE

Hey, we all have places to go. Mistakes happen. The road doesn’t belong to you. Whatever gets you hot while behind the wheel, let it go.

SAVE THE TRASH FOR THE CAN

I mean, c’mon. Keep your trash inside your car until you can properly dispose of it. Alabama highways are beautiful, don’t use them as your trash can.

DIM YOUR HEADLIGHTS FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC

If you’re driving with your high beams on at night, be aware that they can completely blind oncoming traffic. Just because you see great doesn’t mean they can. Dim your lights and don’t sear the retinas of fellow drivers.

GIVE THE KIDS A BREAK

ALWAYS stop for school buses dropping off children.

KID SAFETY

Car safety seats can reduce your child’s risk of injury in a crash by up to 82 percent. Not only can unrestrained children be seriously hurt in crashes, but also from sudden stops. So buckle up, baby!

Driving Safe Saves Lives

LEARN THE STATS