TRAFFIC LAWS

1. TRAFFIC LAWS ALABAMA COURSE OF STUDY #2, #3, #4, #5, #6 AND #7 Describe Alabama’s Basic Speed Law, list situations that require a complete stop, name situations that require drivers to yield the right of way, describe traffic signs and pavement markings that regulate passing, identify traffic signs, traffic signals and pavement markings, interpret Alabama’s Safety Belt and Child Restraint laws.

2. SPEED REGULATIONS • Speed may not always, in itself, be the primary cause of traffic crashes, but it all too often is the factor that turns a minor mishap into a fatal accident. • Speed limits are chosen carefully by traffic engineers who study road conditions and evaluate the road surface, the average amount of traffic, any hidden dangers and number of accidents in any particular area.

3. Alabama’s Basic Speed Law • The Alabama Basic Speed Law provides that you must never drive a vehicle faster than is reasonable under existing conditions. • This means that even though a driver is not exceeding the posted speed limit he/she can still receive a ticket. • Example: Road, weather, lights, and your vehicle condition, as well as your physical condition can determine the safest speed.

4. Statutory Speed Limit • The speed limit in various areas, when no speed limit sign is posted. The Law!!! • Speed limit signs indicate the maximum speed allowed by law, but does not mean that all parts of the road can be safely driven at those speeds under all conditions

5. Alabama’s Basic Speed Law According to Alabama Law the statutory speed limits are as follows: 30 mph Urban District (Neighborhood) 35 mph Unpaved Road 45 mph Paved County Road 55 mph Other Locations (State Highways) 65 mph State Highways where posted 70 mph Interstate Highways The Statutory Speed laws are in effect unless a limit is posted otherwise!

6. Posted Speed Limit • This category allows either state or local authorities to alter the statutory speed limits. • However, it is usually required that, prior to increasing or decreasing a highway’s statutory speed limit, the appropriate governmental authorities conduct a study to determine the safe speed limit for such highway.

7. Advisory Speed Limit A speed limit that advises drivers that an adjusted speed is necessary for a short period of time. For example: Sharp curve ahead, road work ahead, school bus stop ahead.

8. Alabama’s Basic Speed Law Comparison: Statutory Speed Laws are in effect even if no speed limit is posted. Posted Speed Limits are the minimum or maximum speeds that are allowed. Advisory Speed Laws tell us when an adjusted speed is necessary.

9. STOPPING • Many situations require complete stops. • When stopping always check your mirrors and, if possible, tap your brakes to warn others that you are stopping. • Apply smooth, steady, firm pressure to the brake pedal, easing up slightly as you come to a halt. • When stopping behind other vehicles, stop further enough behind the vehicle to see the back tires touching the roadway. • Allow extra stopping and braking time under adverse conditions, driving with a heavy load or when towing.

10. Situations Requiring Drivers to Come to a Complete STOP Approaching a school bus displaying red flashing lights and stop signal arm (new law on divided highways). Exiting Private Property or Parking Lots

11. Situations Requiring Drivers to Come to a Complete STOP Before turning right on red Approaching a flagman directing traffic (construction) At a stop sign or at the stop line

12. Situations Requiring Drivers to Come to a Complete STOP At a crosswalk with pedestrian traffic At a yieldsign if there are pedestrians or vehicles crossing the street or highway When directed by a School Crossing Guard When directed to do so by a policeman

13. Situations Requiring Drivers to Come to a Complete STOP At an intersection or crosswalk when traffic signal shows a red light or stop signal. At Railroad Crossing where stop signs are posted

14. Situations Requiring Drivers to Come to a Complete STOP At a flashing red signal After being in an accident and complying with procedure by law When an emergency vehicle coming towards you or approaches from behind, displaying lights and sirens

15. Minimum Speed Law Minimum Speed Law provides that no person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. 32-5A-174(a)

16. SCHOOL and CHURCH BUS • Every bus used for the transportation of school children shall have upon the front and rear plainly visible signs containing the words “school bus” in letters less than eight inches in height. • Every bus used for the transportation of passengers to or from church shall have upon the front and rear plainly visible signs containing the words “church bus” in letters not less than eight inches in height.

17. School and Church Buses You must stop when you see the appropriate bus signals displayed. Stop must be at least 20 feet from the bus Flashing amber lights are a pre-warning that the bus is preparing to stop for loading or unloading

18. School and Church Buses In rural areas amber lights are used at least 300 feet before stopping. In municipalities amber lights are used at least 100 feet before stopping. Flashing red lights and extended stop area means that the bus is stopped to either load or unload children.

19. New school bus passing law • The driver of a vehicle upon a divided highway having four or more lanes which permits at least two lanes of traffic to travel in opposite directions need not stop the vehicle upon meeting a school or church bus which is stopped in the opposing roadway or if the school or church bus is stopped in a loading zone which is a part of or adjacent to such highway and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway.

20. RIGHT OF WAY • When you drive, sometimes one or more drivers or pedestrians will want to use the same roadway space at the same time that you do. • Right of way rules are an aid to safe, smooth traffic flow. • They emphasize courtesy and common sense • There will be times that you must yield the right of way – meaning letting others go first based on a set of rules. • Never assume you have the right of way, you do not have it unless the other driver gives it to you.

21. Right of Way The Right of Way rules include: If two vehicles reach an intersection not controlled by signs or signals, and from different roadways at about the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the leftmust yield to the vehicle on the right. Special Note: If you enter an uncontrolled intersection at an unlawful speed, you lose any right of way which you would otherwise have.

22. Right of Way & Emergency Vehicles Yield to emergency vehicles when they are displaying a flashing red or blue light and sounding a siren or bell. Ambulance Fire Fighters Law Enforcement

23. Right of Way and emergency vehicles cont’d Whether the emergency vehicle is overtaking or meeting you, pull to the right side safely off the roadway and stop. Do not stop in an intersection. Do not proceed until the emergency vehicle has passed. If you cannot safety pull to the right side, stay where you are.

24. Yielding Right of Right of Way Yield Signs are signs that mean, slow down and, if necessary, stop to yield the right of way to vehicles and pedestrians legally crossing the roadway.

25. Yielding Right of Way-cont’d Violation of these rules is one of the main cause of traffic crashes It is smart to obey right of way rules. Vehicles entering an intersection on green arrows must yield to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

26. Examples that require drivers to yield right-of way. • Approaching and entering intersections • Entering from a private road or driveway • Merging onto highways • Approaching railroad grade crossings • To a blind person with a red tip cane or using a guide dog in an intersection

27. Right of Way When making a left turn within an intersection or into an alley, driveway, or private road, you must yield the right of way to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction when it is within the intersection or close enough to present an immediate hazard.

28. Be the Responsible Driver! • The law gives the right-of-way to no one, but it does state who must yield the right-of-way. • Every driver, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrian must do everything possible to avoid a crash.

29. Give the Right of Way • At T intersections where you must yield to vehicles on the through road • When turning left in which case you must yield to oncoming cars, pedestrians, etc. • When driving on an unpaved road that intersects with a paved road • When returning to the roadway after the car is parked

30. Should you ever insist on the right-of-way? • The driver should never assume anything. • Drivers should anticipate other drivers’ actions, as well as, yielding whenever needed or required by law. • Giving up the right-of-way may help avoid a crash.

31. NO PASSING ZONE This area on the roadway will have a yellow and black triangular shaped sign placed on the left side of the roadway. It means that no passing is allowed. NO PASSING ZONE

32. NO PASSING ZONE • Many highway deaths and serious injuries occur on two-lane highways when vehicles collide head-on or sideswipe each other. Improper or careless passing causes most of these – almost always in violation of state law. • No passing zone signs are placed at the beginning of a No Passing Zone.

33. NO Passing Zones • On 2-lane roads with traffic moving in both directions, you may pass traffic on the left if the pass can be completed safely without exceeding the speed limit. • To pass a vehicle requires that you travel 10 mph faster than the vehicle you are attempting to pass • It is unlawful to drive on the shoulderto pass except during an emergency or when so directed by traffic authorities

34. PAVEMENT MARKINGS FOR NO PASSING AREAS Solid yellow lines: If solid on your side of the centerline you may not pass. If two solid yellow lines: passing is not allowed in either direction.

35. You may not cross the center line to pass • On a curveor hillwhere you cannot see a clear passing distance of at least 500 feet • At a highway intersection. • When meeting an oncomingvehicle. • Where signs prohibit passing, or where there is a solidyellowlineon your side of the center line. Double solid yellow prohibits traffic from bothdirectionsfrom crossing the center line to pass

36. Pedestrians and traffic When encountering pedestrians drivers must: • Alwaysyield the right of way to pedestrians • Not pass another vehicle stopped for pedestrians in a cross walk • Stop for schoolchildrenand school safety patrols • Not block crosswalks • Stop for schoolbusses displaying a extended stoparm

37. Pedestrians and traffic Pedestrians must • Obey traffic signals at intersections • Use sidewalkswhere provided. • Walk on the leftside of the roadway giving way to oncoming traffic. • Yield to all vehicleswhen crossing at points other than within a marked crosswalk or in a crosswalk at an intersection.

38. OTHER TRAFFIC LAWS • Before backing you should look to the front, sides and rear and continue to look over your right shoulder to the rear while backing. • When changinglanes, glance over upur shoulder to check the blind spot your mirror does not cover. • Window tinting must be 32% or higher. And only the upper sixinches of the front windshield may be tinted and my not be red or amber.

39. OTHER TRAFFIC LAWS cont’d • Gas drive-offs can cause you to lose your license 1st offense—Class A misdemeanor 2nd conviction—suspended for 6 months 3rd conviction—suspended for 1 year • Mandatory liability insurance minimum coverage of $20,000 for personal injury for one person, $40,000 for 2 or more and $10,000 property damage Conviction for failing to have—fine up to $500 plus court costs.

40. Alabama Move-over Law 4 or more lanes: • Drivers must vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle or wrecker. • If changing lanes is unsafe or not possible, the driver must slow to a speed that is 15 mph less than the posted speed limit. 2 Lane Road Driver must move as far away from the emergencyvehicleor wrecker as soon as possible within his or her laneand slow to a speed that is 15mph less than the posted speed when the speed limit is 25mph or greater or travel 10mph when the speed is 20mph or less

41. THE END IGNORANCE OF THE LAW IS NOT EXCUSE OF THE LAW KNOW THE LAW