Below are some laws affecting Firefighters and other First Responders in the State of Alabama.
VEHICLES & TRAFFIC LAW
Section 32-1-1.1
Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this title shall, for the purpose of this title, have meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except when the context otherwise requires:
(3) AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE. Such fire department vehicles, police vehicles and ambulances as are publicly owned, and such other publicly or privately owned vehicles as are designated by the Director of Public Safety or the chief of police of an incorporated city.
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/32-1-1.1.htm
Section 32-5A-7
Authorized emergency vehicles.
(a) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions herein stated.
(b) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
(1) Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this chapter;
(2) Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;
(3) Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he does not endanger life or property;
(4) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
(c) The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 32-5-213 and visual requirements of any laws of this state requiring visual signals on emergency vehicles.
(d) The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others.
(Acts 1980, No. 80-434, p. 604, §1-106.)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/32-5A-7.htm
Section 32-5-213
Horns and warning devices.
(32) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order capable of emitting a sound audible under normal conditions for a distance of not less than 200 feet.
It shall be unlawful for any vehicle to be equipped with or for any person to use upon a vehicle any siren or for any person at any time to use a horn otherwise than as a reasonable warning or to make any unnecessary or unreasonably loud or harsh sound by means of a horn or other warning device.
(b) Every police and fire department and fire patrol vehicle and every ambulance used for emergency calls shall be equipped with a siren, bell, ululating multi-toned horns or other electronic siren type device approved by the Director of Public Safety.
(c) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Acts 1927, No. 347, p. 348; Code 1940, T. 36, §36; Acts 1966, Ex. Sess., No. 432, p. 578.)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/32-5-213.htm
Section 32-5A-115
Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles; signals on emergency vehicles; duty of emergency vehicle driver.
(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp and audible signal as is required by law, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
(b) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with regard for the safety of all persons using the highways.
(c) Authorized emergency vehicles shall be equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting a colored light as hereinafter provided visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of such vehicle and a siren, exhaust whistle or bell capable of giving an audible signal. The color of the lighted lamp exhibited by police vehicles may be red or blue and the color of the lighted lamp exhibited by the fire department and other authorized emergency vehicles, including ambulances, shall be red. No vehicle other than a police vehicle will use a blue light. An amber or yellow light may be installed on any vehicle or class of vehicles designated by the Director of Public Safety, but such light shall serve as a warning or caution light only, and shall not cause other vehicles to yield the right-of-way. This provision shall not operate to relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway nor shall it protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of an arbitrary exercise of such right-of-way.
(Acts 1980, No. 80-434, p. 604, §4-106; Acts 1981, No. 81-803, p. 1412, §1.)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/32-5A-115.htm
Section 32-5-113
Duty of driver on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.
(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp and audible signal as is required by law, the driver of every other vehicle shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
(b) It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, except when traveling on official business relative to the emergency, to follow an authorized emergency vehicle answering an emergency call closer than 500 feet.
(c) Violations of this section shall be punished as provided in Section 32-5-312.
(Acts 1927, No. 347, p. 348; Code 1940, T. 36, §20; Acts 1949, No. 517, p. 754; Acts 1966, Ex. Sess., No. 432, p. 578.)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/32-5-113.htm
Section 32-5-312
Penalties for violations of certain sections.
Any person who violates Sections 32-5-55 through 32-5-59, 32-5-62, 32-5-63, 32-5-112 through 32-5-114, 32-5-130 through 32-5-133 and 32-5-150 through 32-5-153, or any part or parts thereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county or municipal jail for not more than 10 days or by a fine of not more than $100.00; for a second such conviction within one year thereafter such person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $200.00 or by imprisonment in the county or municipal jail for not more than 20 days or by both such fine and imprisonment; upon a third or subsequent conviction within one year after the first conviction such person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $250.00 nor more than $500.00 or by imprisonment in the county or municipal jail for not more than six months or by both such fine and imprisonment. The court shall revoke the driver’s license of such person upon the third conviction.
(Acts 1927, No. 347, p. 348; Code 1940, T. 36, §30.)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/32-5-312.htm
Section 32-5A-58
Following emergency vehicle prohibited.
The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any authorized emergency vehicle traveling in response to an emergency call closer than 500 feet or stop such vehicle within 500 feet of any authorized emergency vehicle stopped in answer to an emergency call.
(Acts 1980, No. 80-434, p. 604, §11-109.)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/32-5A-58.htm
Section 32-5A-58.2
Moving over or reducing speed when approaching law enforcement or emergency vehicles.
(a) This section shall be known as the “Alabama Move Over Act.”
(b)(1) When an authorized law enforcement vehicle or emergency vehicle making use of any visual signals is parked, or a wrecker displaying amber rotating or flashing lights is performing a recovery or loading on the roadside, the driver of every other vehicle, as soon as it is safe, shall do the following:
a. When driving on an interstate highway or other highway with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the law enforcement vehicle, emergency vehicle, or wrecker, the driver shall vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle or wrecker unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer. If not safe to move over, the driver shall slow to a speed that is at least 15 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer.
b. When driving on a two-lane road, the driver shall move as far away from the emergency vehicle as possible within his or her lane and slow to a speed that is 15 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or greater or travel at 10 miles per hour when the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer.
(2) A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25). Upon a second violation of this subsection, the fine shall be fifty dollars ($50). Upon a third or subsequent violation, the fine shall be one hundred dollars ($100).
(c)(1) The Department of Public Safety shall provide an educational awareness campaign informing the motoring public about this section. The department shall provide information about this section in all newly printed driver’s license educational materials after January 1, 2010.
(2) This section shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (b), this section shall be enforced by a warning citation for six months after August 1, 2009.
(Act 2009-577, §§1-3.)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/32-5A-58.2.htm
Section 32-5A-219
Pedestrians to yield to authorized emergency vehicles.
(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 32-5-213 and visual signals meeting the requirements of law, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, every pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to the authorized emergency vehicle.
(b) This section shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway nor from the duty to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian.
(Acts 1980, No. 80-434, p. 604, §5-110.)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/codeofalabama/1975/32-5a-219.htm
Section 27-1-23
Motor vehicle accidents by certain public safety officers.
(a) A personal auto insurance carrier of a full-time law enforcement officer or firefighter of a municipality or a county or the State of Alabama or a member of a volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad, or volunteer emergency medical service shall not consider any motor vehicle accident of the full-time law enforcement officer or firefighter or member of a volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad, or volunteer emergency medical service in fixing insurance premiums or cause any increase in the employee’s personal automobile insurance premiums if, at the time of the accident, any of the following conditions exist:
(1) The full-time law enforcement officer or firefighter or member of a volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad, or volunteer emergency medical service was acting as an agent of the governmental employer or of the volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad, or volunteer emergency medical service and the automobile accident occurred in the performance of their duties.
(2) The full-time law enforcement officer or firefighter or member of a volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad, or volunteer emergency medical service was operating a motor vehicle owned by the governmental employer or by the volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad, or volunteer emergency medical service and the automobile accident occurred in the performance of their duties.
(3) The full-time law enforcement officer or firefighter or member of a volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad, or volunteer emergency medical service was not negligent or operating the government or department vehicle in a negligent manner at the time of the accident.
(b) The full-time law enforcement officer or firefighter or member of a volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad, or volunteer emergency medical service shall be exempt from filing the SR-13 form with the Department of Public Safety if any of the conditions in subsection (a) existed at the time of the motor vehicle accident.
(Act 2000-729, p. 1568, §§1, 2; Act 2006-425, p. 1052, §1.)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/27-1-23.htm
Section 32-5A-4
Obedience to police officers and firemen.
No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer or fireman invested by law with authority to direct, control or regulate traffic.
(Acts 1980, No. 80-434, p. 604, §1-103.)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/32-5A-4.htm
Section 32-5A-59
Crossing fire hose.
No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a fire department when laid down on any street, private road or driveway to be used at any fire or alarm of fire, without the consent of the fire department official or police officer in command.
(Acts 1980, No. 80-434, p. 604, §11-110.)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/32-5A-59.htm
Section 32-5-241
Additional permissible lights on vehicles.
(a) Spot lamps and auxiliary lamps.
(1) SPOT LAMPS. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one spot lamp and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle nor more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle.
(2) FOG LAMPS. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two fog lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than 12 inches nor more than 30 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall at a distance of 25 feet ahead project higher than a level of four inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes.
(3) AUXILIARY PASSING LAMPS. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one auxiliary passing lamp mounted on the front at a height not less than 24 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and every such auxiliary passing lamp shall meet the requirements and limitations set forth in this chapter.
(4) AUXILIARY DRIVING LAMPS. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one auxiliary driving lamp mounted on the front at a height not less than 16 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and every auxiliary driving lamp shall meet the requirements and limitations set forth in this chapter.
(b) Signal lamps and signal devices.
(1) Any motor vehicle may be equipped and when required under this division shall be equipped with the following signal lamps or devices:
a. A stop lamp on the rear which shall emit a red or yellow light and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake and which may but need not be incorporated with a tail lamp.
b. A lamp or lamps or mechanical signal device capable of clearly indicating any intention to turn either to the right or the left and which shall be visible both from the front and rear.
(2) A stop lamp shall be plainly visible and understandable from a distance of 100 feet to the rear both during normal sunlight and at nighttime and a signal lamp or lamps indicating intention to turn shall be visible and understandable during daytime and nighttime from a distance of 100 feet both to the front and rear. When a vehicle is equipped with a stop lamp or other signal lamps, such lamp or lamps shall at all times be maintained in good working condition. No stop lamp or signal lamp shall project a glaring or dazzling light.
(3) All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminated when in use at the time mentioned in subsection (a) of Section 32-5-240.
(c) Additional lighting equipment.
(1) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two side cowl or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare.
(2) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one running-board courtesy lamp on each side thereof which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
(3) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two back-up lamps either separately or in combination with other lamps, but any such back-up lamp shall not be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
(d) Special restriction on lamps.
(1) Any lighted lamp or illuminated device upon a motor vehicle other than head lamps, spot lamps, auxiliary lamps or flashing front direction signals which projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower shall be so directed that no part of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
(2) No person shall drive or move any vehicle or equipment upon any highway with any lamp or device thereon displaying a red light visible from directly in front of the center thereof. This section shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles.
(3) Any vehicle may be equipped with flashing lamps which may be used for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing, and when so equipped may display such warning in addition to any other warning signals required by this section. The lamps used to display such warning to the front shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and shall display simultaneously flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber.
The lamps used to display such warning to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall show simultaneously flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red. These warning lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than 1,500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night.
(4) Flashing lights may be used on motor vehicles as a means of indicating a right or left turn; a stop lamp may pulsate with different intensities provided that it meets at all intensities the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section; and the warning lights on emergency vehicles may flash.
(Acts 1927, No. 347, p. 348; Code 1940, T. 36, §41; Acts 1949, No. 517, p. 754, §11; Acts 1961, Ex. Sess., No. 136, p. 2062, §3; Acts 1965, No. 815, p. 1522.)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/CodeOfAlabama/1975/32-5-241.htm
