A Guide to Diversion Laws in Alabama
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Alabama defines "right of way" as the right to cross or enter the road ahead of other vehicles or people. Right-of-way laws are designed to ensure the smooth and safe flow of traffic, and breaking them is one of the most common causes of collisions in Alabama. Laws are there to protect you, so it's just common sense to obey them. If you don't, you risk damaging your vehicle and causing injury or even death to yourself or someone else.
Summary of Alabama Right of Way Laws
Right-of-way laws in Alabama can be summarized as follows:
When several vehicles are approaching an intersection at about the same time and there are no signals or signs, the right of way belongs to the vehicle on the right. If you exceed the speed limit when entering this intersection, you are considered to no longer have the right-of-way.
You must always give way to emergency vehicles (police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, etc.) when their sirens are on and their headlights are flashing. If you are not at an intersection, you must stop. If you are already at the intersection, leave it and stop.
Vehicles entering from a carriageway or private road must yield to vehicles on public roads or streets.
If you encounter a “give way” sign while entering an intersection, you must give way to any vehicle or pedestrian crossing the road.
When you are turning left into an intersection, carriageway, private road or lane, any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction has priority if it is at the intersection or close enough to create a hazard if you do not yield.
When entering an intersection at the green arrow signal, you must give way to a vehicle that is already at the intersection.
Regardless of traffic lights, you must always stop and give way to a blind person who is carrying a red-tipped white cane and holding it outstretched or walking with the help of a guide dog.
Common misconceptions about Alabama's right-of-way laws
The most common misconception about Alabama's right-of-way rules is that if a pedestrian crosses a traffic light, he or she does not have the right-of-way. The law about this in Alabama is very clear - you must always give way to pedestrians, even if they cross the road in the wrong place. This is based on common sense - a pedestrian is much more vulnerable than a car driver, and therefore always has an advantage.
Penalties for non-compliance
Penalties for not ceding the right of way can be significant:
Five points will automatically be added to your license.
Non-compliance penalties are $20 for the first violation, $195 for the second, and $215 for the third.
If you don't yield to the ambulance, the fine is $50 for the first violation, $195 for the second, and $245 for the third.
For more information, see the Alabama Driver's License Manual, Chapter 6, pages 60-64.
