HB368 Summary

• Law enforcement officers may arrest a driver involved in a traffic accident without a warrant if they have reasonable grounds to believe the driver violated Section 32-5A-191 and contributed to the accident, based on personal investigation and eyewitness information.

• Law enforcement officers may issue a traffic citation to a driver involved in a traffic accident when the officer has reasonable and probable grounds to believe the person committed any offense under Chapter 6, Chapter 7, or Chapter 7A of Title 32.

• Courts must impose an additional fine of $50 for each citation issued under this provision.

• Additional fines collected are transferred to the Highway Traffic Safety Fund for the Department of Public Safety to be used for law enforcement purposes.

• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.