The second wave of the Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement campaign will be held Aug. 27 through Labor Day, Sept. 3, with state troopers, sheriffs and police departments statewide targeting enforcement of Alabama's safety belt and children restraint laws during patrols and at checkpoints.Law enforcement agencies hope to build on the success of the Memorial Day Click It or Ticket campaign and further increase safety belt usage in the state. Following that safety belt enforcement blitz, safety belt usage increased to 77 percent statewide.
In addition to strictly enforcing the state's safety belt law, troopers will focus on enforcement of speed limit, DUI, and construction zone laws. Federal overtime grants will allow additional troopers to be on duty throughout the holiday period targeting motorists who violate these laws.
"I have worked hard to give Alabama the toughest drunk driving laws in the nation. As attorney general I pushed legislation which lowered the legal blood alcohol level from .10 percent to .08, and doubled the fines for DUI. As governor we passed legislation imposing new penalties against people who drive drunk with children in the car. Alabama does not tolerate people who drink and drive. I urge motorists to drive responsibly during the holiday weekend, and caution those who are tempted to break Alabama's DUI laws that the consequences are not worth it," said Gov. Don Siegelman.
"All available state troopers will be on duty to promote traffic safety during the holiday period. To help ensure safe travel, I urge all motorists to drive with caution, refrain from drinking and driving, and buckle up each and every time they take to the roadways," said Col. James H. Alexander, Department of Public Safety director.
The Labor Day holiday is the last major travel period of the summer travel season, and state troopers anticipate that traffic will be heavy. They will concentrate patrols on vacation and beach routes, including Interstate 20, and U.S. 231 and 331 south of Montgomery. Aerial speed enforcement also is planned as part of troopers' speed limit enforcement activity.
The Department of Public Safety estimates 10 people will be killed in traffic crashes during the 78-hour Labor Day travel period that begins at 6 p.m. Aug. 31, and ends at midnight Sept. 3.
Last year, six people died as the result of traffic wrecks during the 78-hour holiday period, four on rural roads and two in urban areas. At least two of the deaths were alcohol related. Two of the wreck victims were not using safety belts.
Alabama's safety belt law requires front-seat occupants to buckle up. The state's child restraint law requires an approved child safety seat for child passengers through the age of three in front and back seats, and a child safety seat or regular safety belt for four-and five-year-olds.
