Last month, Alabama began enforcing a strengthened hands-free driving law that prohibits motorists from holding or manipulating handheld electronic devices while behind the wheel, according to state officials.
The amendment to Code § 32-5A-350, originating from Senate Bill 301 passed in 2023, makes it a Class C misdemeanor to physically hold a wireless telecommunications device while driving. The law prohibits more than a single swipe or tap to begin or end a call and bans reading or sending texts, watching videos, or recording while operating a vehicle.
.Heavy thunderstorms are forecast from this afternoon to early
Thursday morning. This activity has the potential to produce several
inches of rainfall for portions of Central Alabama. A broad area of
Central Alabama is included in a Flood Watch as there is some
uncertainty regarding exactly where the heaviest corridors of rain
may occur.
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH
THURSDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE...A portion of central Alabama, including the following
counties, Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun,
Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas,
Elmore, Etowah, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lee, Lowndes, Macon,
Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Russell,
Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa and Tuscaloosa.
* WHEN...From 4 PM CDT this afternoon through Thursday morning.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur
in poor drainage and urban areas.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop.
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