Alabama Senate Bill SB33

Alabama 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/23
• Refer: 3/7/23
• Report Pass: 3/21/23
• Engrossed: 4/4/23
• Refer: 4/4/23
• Report Pass: 4/12/23
• Enrolled: 5/2/23
• Passed: 5/2/23

Caption

Relating to motor vehicles and traffic; to amend Sections 11-49-4, 32-5A-173, and 32-5A-176, Code of Alabama 1975; to prohibit a municipality from setting speed limits on county-maintained streets within its corporate limits in certain circumstances; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

Impact

The implementation of SB33 will have significant ramifications on state laws regarding local traffic control. By necessitating that municipalities adhere to an engineering-based approach before modifying speed limits on county-maintained streets, the bill aims to ensure decisions are made based on safety considerations rather than political or subjective factors. This aligns with broader efforts to improve traffic management and reduce accidents on roads shared between municipal and county jurisdictions.

Summary

SB33, introduced in the Alabama Legislature, aims to refine and clarify regulations surrounding speed limits set by municipalities on county-maintained streets. Specifically, the bill prohibits municipalities from arbitrarily setting speed limits on these roads unless they conduct a thorough engineering and traffic investigation and obtain the county engineer's approval based on the investigation's findings. This legislative move is intended to standardize speed limits in areas maintained by county authorities, thereby enhancing safety and consistency in traffic regulations.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB33 appears to be a mix of support and opposition among stakeholders. Supporters, which likely include safety advocates and county officials, view the legislation as a pragmatic approach to traffic regulation that could potentially reduce accidents and fatalities. Conversely, some municipal leaders may perceive this as an infringement on local autonomy, arguing that local governments should retain authority to make decisions tailored to community needs, especially in urban areas with differing traffic dynamics.

Contention

Notable points of contention arise from the balance between local control and state oversight in traffic management. While proponents of SB33 argue that centralized decision-making will lead to more uniform and safer traffic regulations, critics raise concerns that such a bill undermines the ability of local governments to respond effectively to the unique transportation challenges and conditions prevalent in their jurisdictions. This tension reflects broader debates within the state regarding the distribution of power between local and state governance.