Montgomery, AL – As fall approaches, football season begins, and the Labor Day weekend nears, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is urging citizens across the state to prioritize safety during their celebrations. While Labor Day serves as a time to honor America’s workforce, ALEA emphasizes the importance of making responsible choices on the roadways and waterways to ensure a safe holiday.
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor highlighted the significance of the holiday, stating, “Labor Day is a time to celebrate America’s workforce as well as an opportunity to look into the future and ensure we are securing a better tomorrow. While this weekend serves as a time of reflection and focuses on our nation’s labor-based achievements, it is also a weekend to prioritize safety and make quality choices that help protect you and your loved ones.”
In preparation for the increased travel and activities associated with Labor Day, ALEA Troopers will be conducting high-visibility patrols on both roads and waters. The agency’s efforts will include driver license checkpoints, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) operations, and participation in the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, which runs through September 2. Additionally, ALEA’s Aviation Unit will perform Rescue Swimmer Detail flights along the Gulf Coast to safeguard beachgoers.
Colonel Jonathan Archer, Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety, emphasized the agency’s commitment to preventing impaired driving. “We are well-trained to identify signs of drunk driving on the road. Driving under the influence is a violation of the law, and a reckless act that puts the lives of drivers, their passengers, and others on the road at extreme risk. We want to make it clear that on this Labor Day weekend, we will have a zero-tolerance policy against drinking and driving or impaired driving.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that an alcohol-impaired driving fatality occurs every 39 minutes in the United States. In Fiscal Year 2023, ALEA Troopers investigated 1,675 traffic crashes where driving under the influence was a contributing factor, resulting in 2,399 DUI violations. These figures do not account for DUI arrests and traffic crashes investigated by local law enforcement across Alabama.
Colonel Archer also warned about the dangers of operating a boat while impaired. “Operating a boat while impaired is equally as dangerous as driving a vehicle impaired. Both can have fatal consequences. If you are enjoying activities on the water this extended weekend, please do so responsibly.”
In Fiscal Year 2023, ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division identified Boating Under the Influence (BUI) as the top water safety violation. So far in 2024, 61 boaters in Alabama have been charged with BUI, reflecting a 20% increase from the previous year.
To help ensure a safe Labor Day weekend, ALEA offers the following safety tips:
- Buckle Up and Use Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs): Seat belts and life jackets are essential safety tools. Ensure everyone in your vehicle or vessel is properly secured, and remember that children under age 8 must wear PFDs at all times on the water.
- Check Your Vehicle and Vessel Before Departure: Ensure that your vehicle and boat are in proper working condition by checking tires, lights, batteries, fluid levels, and other essential components.
- Obey Speed Limits and Avoid Distractions: Adhere to posted speed limits and stay focused while driving. Remember Alabama’s Move Over Law and the new hands-free law, which prohibits holding a wireless device while driving.
- Designate a Sober Driver: Whether on the road or water, always designate a sober driver or use a ride-sharing service. Never operate a vehicle or boat while impaired.
This Labor Day weekend, ALEA encourages everyone to celebrate responsibly and make choices that ensure the safety of themselves and others. One bad decision can have life-changing consequences—stay safe and enjoy the holiday.
