HB391 Summary

• Increases penalties for texting while driving: first violation from $25 to $50, second from $50 to $100, and third or subsequent from $75 to $200.

• Adds exemption for individuals operating authorized emergency vehicles while performing official duties within scope of employment.

• Creates new crime of causing a traffic accident while texting while driving with penalties ranging from 90-day license suspension (first conviction) to Class C felony with 1-10 year imprisonment (fourth or subsequent conviction).

• Imposes enhanced penalties when offense involves a child under 16 in vehicle (double minimum punishment) or commercial motor vehicle operation (one-year license revocation on first conviction, lifetime revocation on second conviction).

• Establishes $5 fee per texting while driving violation to be deposited in Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency's Public Safety Fund.