HB249 Summary

• Amends Alabama's "Move Over Act" to include garbage, trash, refuse, and recycling collection vehicles as protected roadside vehicles requiring driver compliance.

• Requires drivers on multi-lane highways to vacate the lane closest to collection vehicles or slow to 15 mph below posted speed limit; on two-lane roads, drivers must move as far away as possible and reduce speed by 15 mph (or travel at 10 mph if posted limit is 20 mph or less).

• Establishes misdemeanor penalties for violations: $25 fine for first offense, $50 for second offense, and $100 for third or subsequent offenses.

• Requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrian workers engaged in collection activities and to collection vehicles that are stopped, traveling, or reentering traffic flow; violation is a traffic violation punishable by up to $50 fine.

• Directs the Department of Public Safety to conduct an educational awareness campaign and include information in newly printed driver's license educational materials after January 1, 2010; becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.