Labor Day weekend marks a unique transition in Alabama. Families are planning one last summer trip to the lake, beach or backyard, while football fans across the state are gearing up for the first big weekend of the season.
As summer winds down and football season kicks off, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is asking everyone to make safety part of their game plan.
From Alabama’s highways and waterways to the routes leading to college campuses and stadiums, ALEA Troopers and Special Agents will be working throughout the extended holiday weekend to keep citizens and visitors safe.
“Labor Day weekend brings together two traditions Alabamians love, enjoying the final days of summer and the excitement of football season,” ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said. “Wherever your plans take you, make sure getting home safely is part of them. Slow down, buckle up, put the phone away and never drive or operate a vessel impaired. We want everyone to enjoy the weekend but remember: the most important drive is the one that gets you home.”
MAKE THE RIGHT CALL
Whether traveling to a football game, heading to the lake or gathering with friends and family, ALEA encourages everyone to make the right call before the weekend even begins.
• Designate a sober driver. If alcohol is part of your celebration or game-day plans, decide how you will get home safely before you arrive. Never drive or operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Buckle up -- every seat, every trip. Make sure every occupant is properly restrained and children are secured in an age- and size-appropriate child safety seat. Motorcyclists, bicyclists and ATV riders should always wear an appropriate helmet and other protective equipment.
• Put the phone down. A text, notification or phone call can wait. Keep your attention on the road and remain alert for pedestrians, motorcycles, emergency personnel and changing traffic conditions.
• Slow down and plan ahead. Expect increased traffic before and after football games and along routes to popular recreation areas. Leave early, allow extra travel time and follow directions from law enforcement officers working traffic details. Traffic delays are temporary; a dangerous decision can have permanent consequences.
• Wear a life jacket and check your vessel before leaving the dock. Make sure required safety equipment is onboard and readily accessible, monitor changing weather conditions and remain alert to surrounding vessels.
• Know before you go. Before allowing someone to operate a boat or personal watercraft, ensure the operator meets Alabama’s age, licensing and supervision requirements. Never allow an unlicensed or underage individual to operate a vessel illegally.
ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) will increase its presence throughout the holiday travel period, with Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol Troopers conducting enforcement and safety initiatives across the state.
“Labor Day is traditionally a busy travel weekend, and adding the excitement of football season means thousands of motorists will be sharing Alabama’s roadways while many families are also enjoying our waterways,” DPS Director, Colonel Jonathan Archer said. “Our Troopers will be visible, but enforcement is only one piece of the safety equation. Every driver, passenger and boater has a role. Before you pull onto the highway, leave the dock or head home after the game, make the decision that gets everyone there safely.”
NO REPLAY: MAKE THE SAFE CHOICE THE FIRST TIME
On the field, there is instant replay. On the road, there isn’t. There is no opportunity to rewind a decision to drive impaired, take off a seat belt, look down at a phone or push the speedometer a little higher. Last year’s Labor Day travel period serves a solemn reminder of why safety remains at the heart of ALEA’s efforts each holiday weekend.
Between Friday, Aug. 29, and Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, ALEA Troopers investigated 371 traffic crashes resulting in 147 injuries and six fatalities across Alabama.
Among the six individuals who lost their lives, three were riding a motorcycle, ATV or electric bicycle. None of those three riders were wearing a helmet. Of the three other individuals killed while occupying vehicles, only one was properly restrained by a seat belt.
During the same four-day period, Highway Patrol Troopers made 33 DUI arrests and issued 2,324 citations for speeding and 473 citations for seat belt violations.
ALEA Marine Patrol Troopers also investigated three boating incidents resulting in four injuries, conducted 310 vessel inspections and made one arrest for Boating Under the Influence. There were no boating fatalities or drownings during the 2025 holiday period.
“Those numbers are more than statistics. They represent lives changed, families impacted and reminders of why individual choices matter,” Secretary Taylor added.
Whether the weekend takes you to the dock, the stadium or somewhere in between, ALEA asks everyone to: Wrap Up Summer Safely. Kick Off Fall on the Right Foot.
