Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey has announced the allocation of more than $7.6 million to enhance highway safety across Alabama and address the issue of reckless driving. The funding, which is directed to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the state’s traffic safety regions, aims to support major highway safety campaigns such as “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
The grants will enable law enforcement agencies to increase traffic patrols in areas with high crash rates and other traffic violations. According to Governor Ivey, this initiative is essential for ensuring that responsible motorists can travel safely on the state’s roads. “These funds will support our police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and state troopers who work tirelessly to ensure that those who break our traffic laws are either ticketed for their reckless behavior or removed from the roads,” Ivey stated.
The funding will cover overtime costs for officers conducting extra patrols during peak travel times, focusing on speeding, seat belt violations, and impaired driving. ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor highlighted the importance of this initiative, noting a steady decrease in overall traffic fatalities in Alabama over the past several years. “This downward trend and the lives saved on our roadways are a direct reflection of Governor Ivey’s leadership and effort to prioritize public safety throughout her administration,” Taylor said.
The funds will be distributed to law enforcement agencies based on the size of their forces and the crash and traffic data specific to their jurisdictions. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grants, which are funded through allocations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ADECA manages various programs aimed at supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, among other initiatives.
“ADECA supports Governor Ivey in her efforts to reduce traffic crashes and make our roads safer,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell, acknowledging the dedication of Alabama’s law enforcement agencies in protecting their communities.
The following grants have been awarded to agencies acting as fiscal agents for the highway safety districts:
- $3.15 million to the Franklin County Commission for the North Central and East Central Regional Highway Safety offices, covering multiple counties including Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, and others.
- $1.5 million for the Southeast Alabama Regional Highway Safety Office at Enterprise State Community College, serving counties such as Autauga, Barbour, and Montgomery.
- $1.36 million to the Mobile County Commission for the Southwest Regional Highway Safety Office, covering a wide range of counties from Baldwin to Wilcox.
- $1.6 million to ALEA, which will also support the Drug Recognition Expert Program. This program trains officers to assess individuals suspected of impairment, ensuring effective enforcement of driving under the influence laws.
This funding is part of a broader strategy to improve safety on Alabama’s roads and reduce traffic-related incidents, ultimately aiming to protect the lives of all road users.
