ALEA The Agency Launches “Summer of Safety” Campaign

As the unofficial starting point of summer, Memorial Day is one of three major holidays that are scheduled for the coming year that Troopers from their unit from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) receive a steady stream of visitors and citizens on Alabama’s busy roads as well as scenic waterways. This weekend will officially kick off the agency’s “Summer of Safety” Campaign, which is attempt to provide tips on road and boating safety during each day of summer and culminating with Labor Day weekend.

“Summer is an ideal moment to think about family trips and travel while enjoying the waters. However, it can be full of dangers and has been proven to be among the most hazardous times in the entire year.” stated ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Each each year we create safety programs and participate in high-visibility details of enforcement to educate the public about and implement state laws to ensure that it is safer for everyone, both residents and visitors. Our top priority is safety and this weekend will not be any different since we’re proud to be a part of and carry out various projects, safety details, and activities in the days that lead up the weekend of Memorial Day to reduce crashes on both highways and waterways, in order to protect lives.”

It is the official Memorial Day travel period begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday the 26th of May, and will end at midnight on Monday 29th May. All available Troopers from the ALEA’s Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol Divisions are on patrol the state’s waterways and roadways. ALEA Troopers within the Highway Patrol Division are currently taking part in the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign that is running from May 22 through June 4. This specific feature, which is financed by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), will remind drivers and passengers of the importance of buckled up and the legal ramifications for not wearing the seat belt. ALTA Troopers will also conduct many driver license checkpoints across the state, and will be on the lookout for drivers speeding or driving impaired.

Director of the ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) Colonel Jon Archer said, “Please know that we will not allow operating a boat or driving when impaired. We hope that everyone has a an enjoyable and relaxing holiday weekend, as we start the summer months, however, should you decide to drink alcohol, please do it safely.”

Before Memorial Day, ALEA’s Marine Patrol started National Safe Boating Week to communicate important water safety and boating tips in advance of the hectic holiday weekend. Its Northern District also provided complimentary inspections of vessels, urging boaters to check the safety features of their safety equipment and ensure they are wearing the correct life jackets.

In addition agency’s Aviation Unit will partner with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for the second time in a row to run the Summer Rescue Swimmer Detail. ALEA will supply an aircraft and a pilot to swiftly fly and transport the rescue swimmers of both Gulf Shores as well as the Orange Beach Fire Departments to swimmers in need. It will be used for beach safety flights and patrolling areas where lifeguards aren’t readily available.

“This collaboration and the detail was an enormous success last year, and offered an invaluable service to many residents and tourists. We are thrilled to be partnering with local authorities once again to offer an additional layer of security that could improve the general safety of the public who visit Alabama’s beaches,” said Protective Services Division Chief Stephen Tidwell.

Get access to ALEA’s “Summer of Safety Playbook online to access all of the Agency’s guidelines on waterways, roadways and the beach.