Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Alabama Rolls Out Left-Lane, Seat Belt Laws

Two new highway laws that went into effect on Sept. 1 in Alabama attempt to combat left-lane road rage and unbuckled passengers, according to media reports.

September 6, 2019
Alabama Rolls Out Left-Lane, Seat Belt Laws

Alabama has rolled out new laws to address road rage and unbuckled passengers. View of Interstate 10 westbound in Mobile County.

Photo via Michael Rivera/Wikimedia.

2 min to read


Two new highway laws that went into effect on Sept. 1 in Alabama attempt to combat left-lane road rage and unbuckled passengers, according to media reports.

Ad Loading...

One new rule mandates that all motor vehicle passengers including those in the backseat must now buckle up, reports the Andalusia Star News.

Ad Loading...

Another law mandates that motorists may not drive more than 1.5 miles in the left lane on divided highways and interstates without passing other vehicles or turning left, reports Moulton Advertiser. Also know as the Anti-Road Rage Act, the law is intended to keep slow drivers out of the left lane.

State law enforcement has endorsed the new measures, noting that they are good laws designed to save lives, according to reports. State law previously required only drivers, front seat passengers and minors in the backseat to wear seat belts.

The state's Department of Transportation statistics indicate that 47% of the 37,133 people who lost their lives in collisions in 2017 were unbelted, notes the Star News. Worse still, data from 2016 shows that back seat passengers tend to wear their seat belts less often because they falsely believe they are safer than those seated in the front of the vehicle. However, some 57% of back seat vehicle occupants who died in crashes were unrestrained.

Penalties for violating the new laws vary by jurisdiction, but are about $25 or $30 plus court fess. Law enforcement will only be handing out warnings for the first 60 days of the Anti-Road Rage Act due to a grace period, according to reports.

More Safety

Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road
Safety•by Staff•October 25, 2026

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Read More →
a crash test dummy in a car
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 22, 2026

IIHS Crash Avoidance Tests Reveal Safety Gaps in Cargo Vans and Work Trucks

New IIHS crash avoidance ratings show uneven performance among cargo vans and heavy-duty pickups, with most struggling to avoid vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.

Read More →
AN AF news recap thumbnail
Safety•by Faith Howell•October 16, 2026

What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap

Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a man driving with a cell phone in his hand.
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 14, 2026

Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?

What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.

Read More →
Motorq Whitepaper Cover - Fleet Managers Ultimate Playbook
Sponsored•October 1, 2026

Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity

Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.

Read More →
An AF news recap thumbnail with a woman pointing at the title "From driver well-being to EV charging"
Safety•by Faith Howell•September 21, 2026

From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap

Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Nexar and nauto logos
Safety•by Staff•September 15, 2026

Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset

Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.

Read More →
Two fleet employees talk beside work trucks beneath the words “Mental Health Is Fleet Safety,” highlighting the connection between employee mental health and fleet safety.
Safety•September 15, 2026

Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program

For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.

Read More →
hands covering toy car with digital widgets surrounding it
Safety•by Chris Brown•September 1, 2026

How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal

Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An image to reflect an article on how the safest fleets aren't the ones with the most tech.
Safety•August 11, 2026

The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology

You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.

Read More →