You need to be aware of two new laws in Alabama. Both have minor fines, but they can easily occupy your time as you sit on the side of the road listening to a trooper explain things. Now, I have told you about the new law involving cell phones and driving in...
Allen A. Ritchie
4th of July: We Purchase Over 68 MILLION Cases of Beer
You're hot, you're thirsty, and someone gets hurt. And often, it involves water or roads. Welcome to the 4th in the South. This Allen's Answers is my annual plea for you to take things slowly and safely. In our nation, 68 million cases of beer are bought over the 4th...
Motorcycle “Lane Splitting” Legal – But Not Here
Stopped in traffic and had a motorcycle pass you coming down the white strip? That is illegal in Alabama, but it might not be for long. I am shy of saying watch what they do in California; you might like it. But that state has made lane splitting legal with...
Keep Your Clothes On for Digital Driver’s License
Your match.com profile pix may not be the best for your driver's license. At least not in Georgia, where the problem of fleshy photos is so bad that the Georgia Department of Drivers' Services has issued a warning to drivers. The state agency has made it very clear,...
Termite Fraud & Alabama Law
Why does Alabama have so much termite fraud? Perhaps because we have so many cases of termites. Here is the ugly truth – termite prevention companies want to pay out as little as possible. To accomplish that, our state has seen some major fraud situations. Here are...
You Be the Judge: Do I Have a Right to Beg for Money in Alabama?
So here is the case: The state of Alabama says you cannot beg for money on state roads. The reason is public safety. Some state groups say panhandling is part of your right to free speech. They say if the state blocks you from asking for cash, it may soon prevent you...
Parkinson’s Tied to Camp Lejeune Veterans
It seems to get worse for the men and women who served at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Now comes word that the veterans and their families are 70% more likely to get Parkinson's disease than those who served elsewhere in the country. Many camp veterans, family...
Alabama DUI Law Could Change
Did you know that for the past 5 years, many convicted drunk drivers in our state have had to install an ignition interlock device if they wanted to drive? This sophisticated piece of equipment tests whether they have been drinking by requiring them to blow...
Alabama Law: The State Could Take Mom’s House
Alabama is one of a few states which can take your house for unpaid taxes and keep the whole amount. Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I bring this up so you will take a serious look at your parents' finances. Many older adults have paid off the mortgage on their...
The Boater Who Hit You Probably Has No Insurance
Many people think a boating accident is like a traffic accident, except you get wet. Nothing could be further from the truth. First, while the state of Alabama requires you to have insurance to drive a car, that is not true to drive a boat. If there is trouble...