The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is working with law enforcement partners across the state to promote seat-belt usage and traffic/water safety in the days leading up to Memorial Day weekend.
The official holiday travel period is from 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 24, to midnight Monday, May 27. In addition, ALEA Troopers are participating through Sunday, June 2, in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Click It Or Ticket campaign.
- Nearly 27.5 million people across the nation still don't buckle up, according to NHTSA.
- In 2017, there were 10,076 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in the United States. Almost 57 percent of young adults (18 to 34) killed in crashes were completely unrestrained, and 59 percent of pickup truck occupants who were killed were not buckled up. In 2017, 51 percent of men killed in crashes were not buckled up, compared to 39 percent of women.
- Seat belts have been proven to be one of the best ways to save your life in a crash. Yet many still don’t buckle up. Worse still, not wearing a seat belt is a habit that will pass on to impressionable youth, who, in turn, will think it’s safe to not buckle up.
- Before kicking off the unofficial beginning of summer, motorists should plan for traffic congestion, particularly on heavily traveled roadways to the beach, lakes and other warm-weather destinations. ALDOT will suspend Construction Zone work at noon Friday, May 24, and continue through the holiday weekend, but it still is important to use caution when traveling through those areas.
- Put away cell phones and other distractions to focus on the road – or water, for boaters.
- Do not operate motor vehicles or boats under the influence. Select a designated driver in advance.
- Monitor teens to prevent underage drinking of alcoholic beverages during the long holiday weekend.
- Monitor local weather to ensure it is safe for boating or other activities on the water.
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