As the Memorial Day holiday travel period concludes, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is reminding motorists and boaters that the summer travel season is just beginning and urging everyone to prioritize safety during the Agency’s annual 101 Days of Summer Safety Campaign.
While many Alabamians enjoyed the long holiday weekend, ALEA Troopers responded to several tragic incidents across the state. During the extended Memorial Day travel period, which began Friday, May 22 and ended on Monday, May 25, Troopers assigned to ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division investigated four traffic fatalities, which occurred in Pickens, Colbert, Shelby and Elmore counties. Troopers assigned to ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division investigated one boating fatality that occurred on Lake Demopolis in Marengo County.
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones affected by these tragic losses,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Each fatality is a heartbreaking reminder that a single decision on the roadway or waterway can have life-altering consequences. As we begin the 101 Days of Summer, we urge everyone to make safety their top priority. Wear your seat belt, avoid distractions, never drive or boat under the influence, and remain vigilant behind the wheel and on the water. Working together, we can help prevent future tragedies and save lives.”
ALEA’s efforts over the Memorial Day weekend included increased patrols, driver license checkpoints and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries.
During the Memorial Day travel period, ALEA Troopers in Highway Patrol conducted the following activity:
• 14 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests
• 1,466 speeding citations
• 365 seat belt violation citations
• 42 child restraint violation citations
• 21 citations for following too closely
• 2,953 total citations issued
• 1,356 total warnings issued
ALEA Troopers in Marine Patrol also remained active across Alabama’s waterways and conducted the following activity:
• 196 marine-related citations issued
• 604 warnings issued
• 4 Boating Under the Influence (BUI) arrests
• 469 vessel stops
• 31 Boater Assists
The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is often referred to nationally as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” due to the increase in travel, traffic crashes and boating activity. ALEA’s 101 Days of Summer Safety Campaign is designed to combat that trend through enforcement, education and public awareness efforts aimed at keeping Alabama’s roadways and waterways safe.
ALEA will continue conducting high-visibility enforcement and public safety initiatives throughout the summer, focusing on impaired driving, seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding and boating safety.
The Agency encourages all Alabamians and visitors traveling throughout the state this summer to remain alert, obey traffic and boating laws and help make Alabama’s roadways and waterways safer for everyone.
