Opelika Alabama Legal Blog

The idea that distracted driving is dangerous is not new. Most Alabama drivers understand just how much a risk they are taking when they pick up a cell phone while they are behind the wheel, but a large portion of people continue to do so anyway. When these drivers cause serious accidents, their victims may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. 

Most people associate texting and driving with teenagers, and indeed it is a serious problem. A joint study including the Centers for Disease Control demonstrated that some 40 percent of teenagers admitted to texting and driving in the month before participating in a nationwide survey. Sure, this is a large chunk of the teenage driving population, but current estimates still put their parents and other adult drivers at higher rates for this risky behavior, around 49 percent. 

Let's say you're driving down an Alabama road after enjoying dinner with friends at a local pub, when you suddenly notice a police patrol car attempting to pull you over. The last thing you need is another speeding ticket but you recognize the importance of immediately complying with the implied request of the red and blue flashing lights.  

You realize things may be a lot worse than you'd imagined when a police officer approaches and asks you to step out of your vehicle. In your experience, you know this is not typically how an average traffic stop for driving over the speed limit pans out. You immediately feel worried because you remember that your fun evening out with friends included a few beers. When the officer asks you to take a field sobriety test, you're unsure how to respond. It's critical that you understand your rights and know how to access support.

A new state law will put ignition interlock devices in the vehicles of many first-time DUI offenders. Although Alabama already requires IIDs for repeat offenders and some first-time offenders, those who utilize pretrial diversion programs have never had to use these devices. This new change to criminal law makes IIDs a requirement for all first-time offenders utilizing pretrial diversion. 

The pretrial diversion program is available to some first-time DUI defendants. These individuals have the potential to have their charges dropped so long as they meet certain expectations, such as paying fees and passing drug tests. The new law adds in one more condition -- drivers must have an IID installed until they complete the program. 

Alabama police recently arrested a mother who apparently forgot her child inside of her locked vehicle. She is accused of endangering the welfare of a child, although it does not appear that she is still in police custody for this alleged criminal law violation. At the time of the incident she also had her other child with her.

A Walmart employee apparently spotted the woman exiting her vehicle with her toddler, and then proceeding into the store. The employee walked by the parked vehicle and noticed that a baby was still in the backseat. According to the worker's account, the doors were locked and the windows were rolled up. The police were notified of the situation, and as the employee and witnesses waited for the mother's arrival, they broke one of the vehicle's windows and removed the baby. Reports indicate that the baby's skin was extremely red and that it was lethargic.