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Page 2 of 3 AARP Driver Safety Smart Driver™ Course State-Specific Information D20669 – March 2026NEW ALABAMA Safe Following Distance - Participant Guidebook Page 64 • Drivers shall follow another vehicle at a distance that is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway. It is the law that drivers leave a distance of at least 20 feet for each 10 miles per hour of speed between the driver's vehicle and the vehicle that the driver is following. Alabama recommends a two-second following distance. Turning at Intersections - Participant Guidebook Page 68 • Drivers must put on their turn signal at least 100 feet before turning. • An officer can ticket a driver for waiting to turn left in an intersection if the driver is obstructing traffic. • When making a left-hand turn from a two-way street to a one way street (two lanes), the driver must turn in to the most extreme left-hand lane available. • It is illegal to make a left turn on a red light from a two-way onto a one-way street. U-Turns – Participant Guidebook Page 69 • Drivers may not make a U-turn where the vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of another vehicle approaching in either direction at a distance of 500 feet. Merging – Participant Guidebook Page 70 • Drivers about to enter a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway being entered. Handicapped Parking – Participant Guidebook Page 74 • A vehicle can be parked in a handicap parking space only if the vehicle then being used to transport or is being operated by the person to whom the handicap license plate or placard was issued. Driving in Rain, Snow, Fog, Smoke, Dust and Other Conditions – Participant Guidebook Page 75-77 • Headlights must be turned on when the windshield wipers of the vehicle are in use because of rain, sleet, or snow, or limited visibility at 500 feet. Intermittent use of windshield wipers does not require headlight usage. • It is permissible to use studded tires of "reasonable proportions" when required for safety because of snow, rain, or other conditions. Sharing the Road with Emergency Vehicles – Participant Guidebook Page 82 • If an emergency vehicle is stopped on the shoulder of a freeway with its flashing lights on, the driver must move to the middle or left lane. If it is not possible to change lanes, the driver must reduce speed and be prepared to stop. • On any undivided highway on which an emergency vehicle approaches with its lights and siren on, all traffic shall yield to the right, clear of any intersection, and shall stop. • It is illegal to follow an emergency vehicle. Drivers must stay at least 500 feet behind an emergency vehicle.