1. ALABAMA COURSE OF STUDY #2, #3, #4, #5, #6 AND #7
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 yield sign 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 left must 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. 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

30. 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.

31. 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 shoulder to pass except during an emergency or when so directed by traffic authorities

32. 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.

33. You may not cross the center line to pass
On a curve or hill where you cannot see a clear passing distance of at least 500 feet
At a highway intersection.
When meeting an oncoming vehicle.
Where signs prohibit passing, or where there is a solid yellow line on your side of the center line. Double solid yellow prohibits traffic from both directions from crossing the center line to pass

34. Pedestrians and traffic
Drivers must:
Always yield the right of way to pedestrians
Not pass another vehicle stopped for pedestrians in a cross walk
Stop for school children and school safety patrols
Not block crosswalks
Stop for school busses displaying a extended stop arm

35. Pedestrians and traffic
Pedestrians must
Obey traffic signals at intersections
Use sidewalks where provided.
Walk on the left side of the roadway giving way to oncoming traffic.
Yield to all vehicles when crossing at points other than within a marked crosswalk or in a crosswalk at an intersection.

36. 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 changing lanes, 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 six inches of the front windshield may be tinted and my not be red or amber.

37. 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.

38. 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 emergency vehicle or wrecker as soon as possible within his or her lane and slow to a speed that is 15 mph less than the posted speed when the speed limit is 25 mph or greater or travel 10 mph when the speed is 20 mph or less

39. 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

40. 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.

41. Signs, Signals, and Road Markings
There is a host of information on the roadways, directing the flow the traffic and the interaction of the driving environment.
The shape of a road sign can tell you as much about the sign’s message as its color.
Traffic signs must meet both individual state and U.S. Department of Transportation specifications.

42. DO NOT PASS
On a curve or hill where you cannot see a clearly for at least 500 feet ahead.
At a highway intersection
When meeting an oncoming vehicle
Where signs prohibit passing, or where there is a solid yellow line on your side of the centerline. Double solid yellow lines prohibits traffic in both directions from crossing the centerline to pass

43. DO NOT PASS
On multi-lane road, the left-most lane is intended to be used to pass slower vehicles. If you pass on the right, the other driver may have difficulty seeing you and might suddenly change lanes in front of you.
Never pass on the shoulder. It is illegal and other drivers will not expect you to be there and may pull off the road without looking.

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