ALEA reports significant reduction in Fourth of July holiday traffic fatalities following statewide safety enforcement campaign
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Special to the News
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is reporting a significant decline in traffic fatalities following its statewide Fourth of July holiday enforcement campaign; which took place during the holiday travel period of Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5.
Through increased patrols and participation in national traffic safety initiatives, including Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over on Alabama’s roadways and Operation Dry Water on the state’s waterways, ALEA troopers focused on deterring impaired driving and boating, reducing dangerous behaviors and helping ensure Alabama residents and visitors reached their destinations safely.
During the 2026 Fourth of July holiday travel period, ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division investigated 263 traffic crashes, resulting in 129 injuries and four traffic fatalities.
This marks a substantial decrease from the 2025 Fourth of July holiday period, when ALEA investigated 314 traffic crashes that resulted in 155 injuries and 12 traffic fatalities, a reduction of more than 66 percent in roadway fatalities.
In addition to responding to crashes, ALEA troopers conducted high-visibility enforcement across the state, issuing:
- 2,639 traffic citations
- 1,034 warnings
- 46 DUI arrests
ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division also maintained an increased presence on Alabama’s waterways throughout the holiday weekend. Troopers investigated:
- 9 boating incidents
- 1 serious boating incident involving a missing individual
- 555 vessel stops
- 235 citations issued
- 695 warnings issued
- 3 Boating Under the Influence (BUI) arrests
A search and recovery operation remains ongoing at Lake Wedowee for an individual reported missing following a boating incident.
For comparison, during the 2025 Fourth of July holiday period, ALEA Marine Patrol investigated seven boating incidents. One non-boating fatality was reported during the holiday weekend, while a boating incident that occurred on July 5 later became a fatality after the victim succumbed to injuries on July 9.
“This year’s Fourth of July holiday results demonstrate the positive impact that enforcement, education and personal responsibility can have on public safety,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Reducing traffic fatalities from 12 last year to four this year is a meaningful achievement and reflects the combined efforts of our agency personnel, our public safety partners and the countless motorists who made safe, responsible decisions behind the wheel. While we are encouraged by this progress, our mission remains unchanged because even one life lost is one too many.”
Secretary Taylor also reminded the public that safe choices extend beyond holiday weekends.
“Whether you’re traveling on our highways or enjoying Alabama’s lakes and rivers, every decision matters,” Taylor said.
ALEA extends its appreciation to its local, state and federal public safety partners, as well as the public, for helping make this year’s Fourth of July holiday travel period safer for everyone.
