ALEA troopers investigate 6 traffic fatalities, 1 drowning during Labor Day weekend
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Special to the News
On Wednesday, Secretary of Law Enforcement Hal Taylor released the traffic and boating statistics for the 2024 Labor Day weekend, during which the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway and Marine Patrol divisions were actively engaged in enforcement and safety operations throughout the entire holiday travel period.
Between 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 30, and midnight Monday, September 2, ALEA troopers investigated six traffic fatalities which occurred in Cleburne, Chilton and Mobile counties. Saturday, August 31, was the only day during the extended holiday weekend with zero traffic fatalities.
Troopers also investigated 185 traffic crashes that resulted in 101 injuries, made 29 driving while under the influence (DUI) arrests, and issued 227 citations for seat belts, 1,688 citations for speeding and 15 citations for reckless driving.
During the same time period, troopers assigned to ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division investigated one non-boating fatality (drowning) that occurred on Wheeler Lake on Sunday, September 1.
There were no boating-related fatalities on the state’s waterways. However, troopers did investigate one boating incident that occurred on Lake Tuscaloosa resulting in two injuries, conducted 366 vessel inspections, made six boating under the influence (BUI) arrests and issued 469 Marine Safety Warnings and 105 Marine Safety Citations.
Additionally, the Marine Patrol Division provided patrols and assisted with six different events on the water over the busy holiday weekend.
Monday also marked the end of the agency’s “101 Days of Summer Safety.” From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the summer months are oftentimes referred to as the “100 deadliest days of summer,” as many families travel, and young teens hit the road for the first time.
In an effort to combat the 100 deadliest days of summer and reduce tragedies in the State of Alabama, the agency launched the “101 Days of Summer Safety” campaign to spread awareness on the dangers of risky driving behaviors and encourage safety talks with teens and loved ones. As of September 1, the agency has experienced 32 fewer traffic fatalities compared to the same time in 2023.
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said, “While we are encouraged by the decrease in fatalities, there is still much work to be done. These tragic incidents underline the importance of road safety, as well as boating safety, and the ongoing need for vigilance and adherence to the state’s laws throughout the entire year.”
ALEA’s Department of Public Safety director, Colonel Jonathan Archer, agreed and said, “We would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the families who lost a loved one over the holiday weekend. At ALEA, we often say one life is one too many. As law enforcement officers, we are sworn to protect and serve, and that includes doing our best to be proactive and reduce crashes and fatalities. As we move towards fall, football and other seasonal festivities that may cause for heavier traffic on the state’s roadways, please help us prevent unnecessary tragedies by committing to wearing a seat belt, avoiding distractions, and always drive sober.”
Apart from roadway and water safety, the agency also completed another successful Rescue Swimmer Detail along the state’s Gulf Coast. The Rescue Swimmer Detail is an initiative that partners ALEA’s Aviation Unit with the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Rescue swimmers from both fire departments are deployed from the agency’s aircraft to swimmers in distress.
During the Labor Day weekend, 12 patrol flights were conducted with one additional call for service for a missing diver who was located prior to the helicopter’s launch. The unit also conducted six training deployments with the rescue swimmers.
