As the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) moves into 2025, helping drivers stay safe on the road continues to be a focus. In 2023, there were 143,487 crashes in Alabama.
There was one crash reported every 3 minutes and 39 seconds. ALDOT is asking motorists to make safe driving one of their New Year resolutions.
Much of highway safety is within the control of drivers. The Drive Safe Alabama traffic safety program at ALDOT offers these driving tips to get 2025 off to a good start:
Follow the speed limit
Speed is not always the primary cause of traffic crashes, but it all too often is the factor that turns a minor mishap into a fatal incident. Speeding is a leading cause of fatal crashes in Alabama.
Alabama’s basic speed law provides that you must never drive a vehicle at a speed that is faster than reasonable under existing conditions. Consider road, weather and vehicle conditions, as well as your own physical condition. What might be a reasonable speed at one time may not be reasonable at another time because of conditions.
It’s not just driving too fast that can cause issues, however. Don’t drive too slow. Minimum speed limits are established on some roadways, and many incidents are caused by drivers who block or hinder other traffic by driving at speeds that are too slow.
Wear your seatbelt
Wearing a seat belt is one of the most effective and proven means of reducing the likelihood of death and serious injury in a crash. Alabama’s seat belt law requires that all occupants, regardless of age, must be properly secured by a seat belt.
Always place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck, and place the lap belt across your hips, not your stomach. You should never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm. Misuse can have dangerous consequences. If you have passengers, make sure everyone is properly buckled before hitting the road.
Drive Sober
The consumption of alcohol or drugs by drivers is a major contributing factor in traffic crashes. Each year, approximately 50% of all fatal crashes involve drivers who have been drinking.
Under Alabama law, it is unlawful to drive with a concentration of 0.08 percent or more alcohol in the blood or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you’re impaired, do not drive. Instead, plan ahead and arrange a safe ride home before the event. You can schedule a rideshare or taxi, call a sober friend, or use public transportation to get home safely.
Get off your phone
A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a crash than a non-texting driver. A quarter of teens respond to a text message once or more every time they drive.
As of 2023, it’s illegal to hold a cell phone or any other electronic device while driving in Alabama. A driver can make or receive calls via hands-free devices, including speakerphone, earpiece or connecting their phone to the vehicle. In most cases, anything more than a single touch or swipe is against the law.
Move over
One of the most dangerous places for emergency responders and maintenance personnel is on the side of the road. Hundreds each year are injured or killed by motorists while working along the nation’s highways. Alabama’s Move Over Law requires you to safely move over when you see flashing lights on the roadside. If you can’t move over, slow down.
Alabama’s Move Over Law states that: When a vehicle using any flashing lights or visual signal is stopped or parked on or next to a roadway, drivers approaching the emergency vehicle should (1) make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle; or (2) if unable to safely make a lane change, slow down to a reasonable speed for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions. The Mover Over law covers law enforcement, tow truck drivers, ALDOT and utility workers, and garbage and recycling service providers.
For more safe driving tips, visit https://drivesafealabama.org/.
