Hands-Free Law

Phones down. It’s the law.

As of June 15, 2023, it’s illegal to hold a cell phone or any other electronic device while driving in Alabama.

In 2023, there were

fatalities associated with distracted driving.

2023 Alabama Crash Facts

53.8% increase in Fatalities associated with distracted driving in the past 6 years (2018-2023).

2023 Alabama Crash Facts

Texting can wait. Your license (and your life) can’t.

Using your phone while driving isn’t just risky—it’ll cost you. First offense? $50 and a point on your license. A third? You could lose your license. Hands-free is fine, but anything more than a quick touch or swipe is illegal. Distracted driving is one of Alabama’s fastest-growing causes of crashes, so keep your focus on the road!

What you can do

If you have to text, pull over to a safe location and park your car.

Distracted driving involves more than texting. Scrolling through social media, messaging, or watching videos while driving is also distracted driving.

Appoint a passenger as the “designated texter” to respond to calls or messages.

Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or your put phone away so you won’t be tempted to respond.

Speak up if you see someone texting and driving and ask them to put their phone away.

READ THE LAW

Enrolled, An Act,

Relating to motor vehicles; to add Section 32-SA-350.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the prohibition against using a wireless telecommunications device while operating a motor vehicle; to further provide for the prohibition; to further provide exceptions; to further provide criminal penalties for a violation; to provide a warning period for a violation; to amend Section 32-SA-351, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the assessment of administrative penalties; to repeal Section 32-SA-350, Code of Alabama 1975; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA

Section l. Section 2 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the Representative Koven L. “K.L.” Brown Act and is enacted in memory of Leah Grace Tarvin and CiCi Lunsford and Jay Kendall.

Section 2. Section 32-SA-350.1 is added to Article 16 of Chapter SA of Title 32, Code of Alabama 1975, to read as follows:

§32-SA-350.1
(a) As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) STAND-ALONE ELECTRONIC DEVICE. A device other than a wireless telecommunications device which stores audio or video data files to be retrieved on demand by a user.
(2) UTILITY SERVICES. Includes electric, natural gas, water, waste-water, cable, telephone, or telecommunications services or the repair, location, relocation, improvement, or maintenance of utility poles, transmission structures, pipes, wires, fibers, cables, easements, rights of way, or associated infrastructure.
(3) WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE. A cellular telephone, a portable telephone, a text-messaging device, a personal digital assistant, a stand-alone computer, a global positioning system receiver, or substantially similar portable wireless device that is used to initiate or receive communication, information, or data. The term shall not include a radio, citizens band radio, citizens band radio hybrid, commercial two-way radio communication device or its functional equivalent, subscription-based emergency communication device, prescribed medical device, amateur or ham radio device, or in-vehicle security, navigation, safety, or remote diagnostics system.

(b) A person shall exercise due care in operating a motor vehicle on the highways of this state and shall not engage in any actions prohibited by law which shall distract the person from the safe operation of the vehicle.

(c) A person operates a vehicle in a distracted manner in violation of this section if the person is observed crossing in and out of a traffic lane without using a turn signal, swerving, or otherwise operating the vehicle in an impaired manner while doing any of the following:

(1) Physically holding a wireless telecommunications device.
(2) Physically hold or support, with any part of his or her body, a stand-alone electronic device.
(3) Write, send, or read any text-based communication, including but not limited to a text message, instant message, e-mail, or Internet data on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device; provided, however, that such prohibition shall not apply to either of the following:
- a. A voice-based communication that is automatically converted by the device to be sent as a message in a written form.
- b. The use of the device for navigation of the vehicle or for global positioning system purposes.
(4} Watch a video or movie on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device other than wacching data related to the navigation of the vehicle.
(5) Record or broadcast a video on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device; provided that the prohibition shall not apply to electronic devices used for the sole purpose of continuously recording or broadcasting video within or outside of the motor vehicle.
(6) Use more than a single button or swipe of a finger on a wireless telecommunications device to initiate or terminate a voice-communication.
(7) Reach for a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device in such a manner that requires the driver to no longer be in a seated driving position properly restrained by a safety belt.

(d) Each violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense.

(e) (1) Except as provided for in subdivision (2), any person convicted of violating this section shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor which shall be punished as follows:

a. For a first conviction to a charge of violating this section within the previous 24-month period of time, as measured from the dates any previous convictions were obtained to the date the current conviction is obtained, a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50).
b. For a second conviction within the previous 24-month period of time, as measured from the dates any previous convictions were obtained to the date the current conviction is obtained, a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100).
c. For a third or subsequent conviction within the previous 24-month period of time, as measured from the dates any previous convictions were obtained to the date the current conviction is obtained, a fine of not more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150).
- (2) Any person appearing before a court for a first charge of violating subdivision (c) (1) who produces in court a device or proof of purchase of a device that would allow the person to comply with the subdivision in the future shall not be guilty of the offense. The court shall require the person to affirm that they have not previously utilized the privilege under this subdivision.
- (3) No court costs may be assessed for a violation of this section.

(f) A person may not be placed under custodial arrest solely for a violation of this section.

(g) This section does not apply when the prohibited conduct occurred under any of the following conditions:

(1) The use of a wireless telecommunications device to obtain emergency services, including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, healthcare provider, fire department, or other emergency services agency or entity.
(2) The use of a wireless telecommunications device while the motor vehicle is parked on the shoulder of the highway, road, or street.
(3) The use of a wireless telecommunications device as a global positioning or navigation system to receive driving directions; provided, however, the manual input of navigation coordinates while operating a motor vehicle is a violation of this article.
(4) The use of an earpiece, a headphone device, steering wheel controls, speaker phone or any voice-activated technology, or other device worn on the person or mounted onto the dashboard, center console, windshield, or other part of the vehicle to conduct substantially hands-free voice-based wireless communications.
(5) The use of a continuous recording device that operates within or outside the vehicle, including, but not limited to, a dash camera or backup camera.
(6) The use of a wireless telecommunications device by an employee or contractor of a utility services provider within the scope of his or her employment while responding to a utility emergency or performing other critical utility services.
(7) The use of a wireless telecommunications device by a law enforcement officer, emergency medical services personnel, ambulance operator, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or other similarly employed public safety first responder during the performance of his or her official duties.
(8) The use of an ignition interlock device, as defined in Section 32-5A-191.4.
(9) For an individual 18 years of age or older, the use of a wireless telecommunications device in a manner that requires the physical use of the person’s hand while operating a motor vehicle if both of the following occur:
- a. The device is mounted to the vehicle, including the windshield, dashboard, or center console of the vehicle, and the device does not create an unsafe obstruction of the person’s view of the road.
- b. The person’s hand is used to activate or deactivate a feature or function of the device with the motion of one swipe or tap of the person’s finger, and the swipe or tap does not activate the camera, video, or gaming features or functions for viewing, recording, amusement, or other non-navigational functions, other than functions or features related to the transportation of persons or property for compensation or payment of a fee.
(10) The use of a wireless telecommunications device by a licensed physician while responding to an emergency medical situation.

(h) Beginning on the effective date of this act, and continuing for 12 months thereafter, for any violation of this section, a law enforcement officer may only issue a written warning. No points shall be entered on the driving record of any individual who receives a warning under this subsection.

Section 3. Section 32-5A-351, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§32-5A-351

(a) A first conviction of this article shall be entered on the driving record of any individual charged under this article as a one-point violation.

(b) A second conviction of this article shall be entered on the driving record of any individual charged under this article as a two-point violation.

(c) A third or subsequent conviction of this article shall be entered on the driving record of any individual charged under this article as a three-point violation.

Section 4. Section 32-5A-350, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to texting while driving, is repealed.

Section 5. Although this bill would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds, the bill is excluded from further requirements and application under Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, because the bill defines a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime.

Section 6. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

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