HB71 Summary

• Authorizes the State Department of Transportation and county commissions to designate "safety zones" on highways and roads where multiple serious motor vehicle accidents have occurred with excessive speed as a contributing factor.

• Defines serious motor vehicle accidents as those resulting in fatality or serious bodily injury, including to pedestrians.

• Imposes an additional $100 fine for speeding violations in safety zones, above the standard speeding fine, with no additional court costs assessed.

• Requires safety zone signs to be posted at least 1,500 feet before the entrance to warn drivers of increased fines for speeding.

• Becomes effective immediately upon passage and gubernatorial approval, classified as a crime definition change to comply with Alabama constitutional requirements regarding local fund expenditures.