Traffic Unit

The University of Alabama Police Department Traffic Unit addresses traffic safety issues on campus.

Traffic officers patrol campus on motorcycles and respond to traffic-related calls. They also monitor and control traffic conditions, assist motorists and enforce traffic laws. The unit’s primary duties include traffic enforcement, accident investigation and escorts. The unit also provides support for special functions such as parades, athletic events, and other events requiring traffic control.

Traffic Safety

Below are some tips for staying safe while driving, walking or riding a bicycle on campus.

Avoiding Automobile Accidents

• Don’t tailgate – Make sure to keep a safe following distance from the car in front of you. A good rule to follow is to keep 20 feet for every 10 miles per hour from the vehicle in front of you.
• Don’t be a distracted driver – Avoid multi-tasking while driving. Cell phone use, eating or engaging in other activities can often lead to an accident.
• Slow down when approaching intersections – You should slow down at intersections and be prepared to react in case another driver or pedestrian doesn’t see you. Be prepared to stop at all marked crosswalks and yield to pedestrians that are in the crosswalk or are preparing to cross. Come to a complete stop for pedestrians.
• Watch your speed – The posted speed limit on most streets on the UA campus is 25 mph. Watch your speed to avoid an accident or getting a citation.
• Never attempt to beat the light – Never intentionally run through a yellow light thinking you can clear the intersection before the light turns red.
• Never flee from police – It is unlawful for a driver to intentionally flee or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer after having received a signal from the officer to bring the vehicle to a stop. Drivers who attempt to elude a police officer are subject to arrest. This also applies to bicyclists.
• Yield for pedestrians – Drivers must yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians who are crossing the road in a crosswalk.
• Don’t pass someone who is stopped at a crosswalk – When a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to allow a pedestrian to cross the road, it is unlawful for the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear to overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

If You Are in an Accident on Campus

• Stay calm – If you are able to do so, call 911 to report the location of the accident. The 911 operator may ask for information such as your name, if anyone has been injured and what type of vehicles are involved.
• Check yourself for injuries – If you’re injured, call 911 or ask someone else to do so. Try not to move and wait for emergency personnel.
• Check on your passengers – If you’re not too hurt to move, check on the other passengers in your car or in other vehicles. If anyone is injured, call 911.
• Move to safety – If you are able to, move to the side of the road or a sidewalk. If your car is safe to drive and is causing a hazard where it is, pull it to the side of the road. Otherwise, leave it where it is and get yourself to safety.
• Wait for help – Turn off your engine and turn on your hazard lights. Wait for UAPD to arrive. A police officer will give you instructions on what you should do after the accident.
• Never leave the scene of an accident – If through an investigation it is found that you left the scene of an accident, you may be issued a traffic citation with a mandatory court date. If injury or death occurs, felony charges may be brought against you.
• If you hit an unattended vehicle – Make sure that you immediately stop and try to locate and notify the operator or owner of that vehicle. If you can’t locate the operator of the vehicle, leave your name and contact information on the vehicle where the driver will see it. Contact UAPD if you have doubts about what to do.

Traffic Citations and Fines

Traffic citations are divided into two categories; those that do not require a court appearance and those that do require a court appearance.

If you receive a citation that does not require a court appearance and would like to take care of it without appearing in court, you may do so by appearing in person at Tuscaloosa Municipal Court and entering a plea of guilt to the traffic offense. At that time you will pay for the citation. This must be done at least 24 hours in advance of your court date to avoid any late fees. You may also pay your citation online or remit your plea and payment by mail. Learn more about traffic citations on the City of Tuscaloosa’s website.

If your citation requires a court appearance, you must appear in court on the date listed on the citation, and enter a plea on the charge. If you plead guilty, the judge will determine your fine amount and you will be able to pay the fine at that time. If you plead not guilty, your case will be granted a trial court date for a later time.

The City of Tuscaloosa’s website provides a list of fines and court costs for traffic citations.

Pedestrian Safety

• Always cross at marked crosswalks – You may forfeit your rights as a pedestrian if you cross elsewhere.
• Obey pedestrian signals – Always look for pedestrian signals and only cross streets when the signal allows you to.
• Look both ways – Make sure to look left, right and then left again to make sure the road is clear in both directions before crossing.
• Make eye contact with drivers – If a vehicle is approaching, be sure the driver sees you and comes to a complete stop before you cross.
• Look before walking past stopped vehicles – Do not cross just because a driver waves you on. Be sure all lanes are clear first.
• Don’t suddenly step off the curb – It is unlawful for anyone to suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle.

Bicycle Safety

In Alabama, bicyclists are required to follow the rules of the road just like motor vehicle operators. This means stopping for traffic signals and signs just as you would if you were driving a vehicle.

• Use bicycle paths when available – Many campus streets have marked bicycle lanes. When a usable bicycle lane is available, cyclists must use the bicycle path and not the roadway.
• Ride to the right – When a bicycle path is not available, ride as close as possible to the right of the roadway.
• Refrain from riding on sidewalks – Avoid riding on sidewalks if at all possible. If you must ride on a sidewalk, cyclists must always yield to pedestrians. When you reach a roadway you intend to cross, dismount your bicycle and walk it through the crosswalk.
• Ride defensively – Expect the unexpected when approaching side streets or hidden drives. Gain eye contact with motorists to be sure they see you.
• Wear a helmet –  Wearing a helmet is strongly encouraged for all cyclists no matter their age. In Alabama, all cyclists under the age of 16 must wear a helmet.