Crimes and offenses; penalties for eluding or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, penalties further provided

Tougher fleeing penalties with safe-stop protection

Beginning October 1, 2026, intentionally fleeing an officer’s stop signal while driving on an Alabama road is a Class D felony. Fleeing an officer attempting an arrest remains a Class A misdemeanor unless a higher felony penalty applies. Either offense becomes a Class C felony for causing a collision with another vehicle or pedestrian, or physically injuring another person. Class C also applies for crossing into a neighboring state, carrying a child under 14, or having a prior fleeing conviction. It also applies while on bail, probation, parole, or serving a sentence in community corrections or work release. Either offense becomes a Class B felony for causing serious injury or death to another person. Class B also applies for driving more than 20 miles per hour over the legal speed limit. Other Class B triggers are striking or trying to strike an officer or an officer-occupied vehicle, or having two or more prior fleeing convictions. Every conviction for either offense requires a driver’s license suspension of six months to two years. A second conviction within five years requires at least 90 days of confinement. A third or later conviction within seven years requires at least 180 days. These periods run from prior arrests resulting in convictions to the current arrest resulting in conviction. Drivers do not violate this law by continuing at or below the speed limit to stop at the nearest safe place. That protection applies with or without vehicle flashers.