By Gary Lloyd
MONTGOMERY — Alabama State Troopers will step up patrols this holiday season to protect the lives and promote the safety of Alabama motorists.
“It is one of the busiest and most exciting times of year, and that seasonal hustle and bustle is evident on the state’s roadways as many of us will travel more between now and New Year’s,” said Col. Hugh B. McCall, director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety. “We all must make safety a priority — no matter how rushed we feel.”
To prevent crashes, injuries and fatalities, the Alabama Department of Public Safety will step up efforts to include extra patrols, sobriety checkpoints, line patrols and LIDAR speed detection. Troopers will also focus on violations that often contribute to crashes, including speeding, following too closely, driver distraction and improper passing. These additional enforcement activities will be made possible through grant funding from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Alabama Department of Transportation.
In addition, troopers will be available to assist motorists and can be reached via cell phone at *HP (*47), which will direct motorists to the nearest Highway Patrol post.
Troopers will also partner with law enforcement and traffic safety agencies throughout the state and nation to work to curtail impaired driving.
“If your seasonal celebrations will include alcohol, please take a moment to designate a non-drinking driver or to make other arrangements to be sure you – and others on the road – arrive safely to your destination,” McCall said.
Special enforcement period begn at 12:01 a.m. Friday and ends at midnight Jan. 2.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.