‘Hands free’ ordinance approved by Huntsville City Council

A new amendment to a city ordinance in Huntsville has been passed that will make “hands free” communication while driving the law of the land, so to speak. The amended ordinance affects how texting and driving is enforced and the consequences of the action.

The ordinance takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Hands free in Huntsville

The amendment to the ordinance upgrades the city’s existing no-text ordinance from a secondary to a primary offense, allowing officers to stop a driver when they see a violation and issue a citation.

In a secondary offense, officers can only issue a citation if there is another reason to stop the driver.

The law will also prohibit drivers from doing any of the following while operating a vehicle:

• Using a wireless telecommunications device to write, send, read or otherwise engage in any text-based communication;
• Watching, recording or capturing a photo or video;
• Engaging in voice-based communication while holding a wireless telecommunications device; or
• Physically holding or otherwise supporting a wireless telecommunications device with any part of their body.

Council also agreed to adjust fines for convictions within a 24-month period as follows: $50 for a first conviction; $100 for a second conviction; and $150 for a third conviction and/or community service.

A ‘win-win’ for Huntsville

Then updated hands free driving ordinance was sponsored by Huntsville City Council member David Little, who has personal experience with the dangers of texting while driving.

In December of 2008, Little and his family were involved in a distracted driving-related car accident that left the Council member critically injured in the hospital for two weeks and in a wheelchair for three months.

Little called the new law a “win-win” for Huntsville.

“Our existing ordinance is very hard to enforce, so I’m thankful to my colleagues with the City Council for voting to strengthen this law. Nearly 15 years since I was seriously hurt in a crash caused by a distracted driver, I’m grateful to be here today and will continue to be an advocate for safer roads.”

David Little, Huntsville City Councilman

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