Governor Kay Ivey has allocated over $7.6 million to improve highway safety in Alabama and decrease the prevalence of reckless drivers on the state’s roadways.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the state’s traffic safety regions covering all 67 counties will receive grants to support significant highway safety campaigns like “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
The funds will also help law enforcement agencies increase their traffic patrols in areas that have high crash rates and other traffic violations, as stated by Ivey’s office.
“Governor Ivey expressed her commitment to the safety of responsible and law-abiding motorists, stating in a press release, ‘It is essential that these individuals can travel on our highways and roads without any concerns.’ She further emphasized the importance of supporting the diligent efforts of police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and state troopers in maintaining road safety. These funds will enable them to effectively penalize those who violate traffic laws, either through issuing tickets or taking necessary measures to remove them from the roads.”
According to Ivey’s office, the funds will be allocated to cover overtime costs for law enforcement officers. These officers will conduct additional patrols during peak travel times, with a focus on addressing speeding, seat belt violations, and impaired driving.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has seen a continuous decline in traffic fatalities across the state in recent years. This positive trend and the lives that have been saved on the roads directly highlight Governor Ivey’s dedication to public safety during her time in office, as stated by ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor in a press release.
“We are constantly working towards our mission of reducing traffic crashes and saving lives, thanks to the unwavering support from Governor Ivey and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Their assistance empowers us and our law enforcement partners to make a lasting impact in our communities.”
Law enforcement agencies within a region will receive funds based on the size of their force and crash and traffic data in their jurisdictions.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has provided funds to the state of Alabama, which are being administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) in the form of grants.
ADECA oversees a range of initiatives aimed at bolstering law enforcement and promoting traffic safety, as well as fostering energy conservation, managing water resources, facilitating economic development, and enhancing recreational opportunities.
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- $3.15 million to the Franklin County Commission for the North Central and East Central Regional Highway Safety offices. The two offices serve Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Marshall, Marion, Morgan, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Walker and Winston counties.
- $1.5 million for the Southeast Alabama Regional Highway Safety Office at Enterprise State Community College. The office serves Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lowndes, Montgomery, Pike and Russell counties.
- $1.36 million to the Mobile County Commission for the Southwest Regional Highway Safety Office which serves Baldwin, Bibb, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Escambia, Greene, Hale, Macon, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Lee, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Washington and Wilcox counties.
- $1.6 million to ALEA whose state troopers cover the entire state. Part of those funds will be used for the Drug Recognition Expert Program which trains officers, deputies and troopers to determine if a person suspected of impairment is under the influence of a drug or drugs other than alcohol, the combined influence of alcohol and other drugs or is suffering from an injury or illness that produces similar signs of alcohol or drug impairment.
