MONTGOMERY – Today, Secretary of Law Enforcement Hal Taylor released the traffic and
boating statistics for the 2024 Labor Day weekend, during which the Alabama Law Enforcement
Agency’s (ALEA) Highway and Marine Patrol Divisions were actively engaged in enforcement
and safety operations throughout the entire holiday travel period.
Between 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, and midnight Monday, Sept. 2, ALEA Troopers
investigated six traffic fatalities which occurred in Cleburne, Chilton and Mobile counties.
Saturday, Aug. 31, was the only day during the extended holiday weekend with zero traffic
fatalities. Troopers also investigated 185 traffic crashes that resulted in 101 injuries, made 29
Driving while Under the Influence (DUI) arrests, and issued 227 citations for seat belts, 1,688
citations for speeding and 15 citations for Reckless Driving.
During the same time period, Troopers assigned to ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division investigated
one non-boating fatality (drowning) that occurred on Wheeler Lake on Sunday, Sept. 1. There
were no boating-related fatalities on the state’s waterways. However, Troopers did investigate
one boating incident that occurred on Lake Tuscaloosa resulting in two injuries, conducted 366
vessel inspections, made six Boating Under the Influence (BUI) arrests and issued 469 Marine
Safety Warnings and 105 Marine Safety Citations. Additionally, the Marine Patrol Division
provided patrols and assisted with six different events on the water over the busy holiday
weekend.
Monday also marked the end of the Agency’s ‘101 Days of Summer Safety.’ From Memorial
Day to Labor Day, the summer months are oftentimes referred to as the “100 deadliest days of
summer,” as many families travel, and young teens hit the road for the first time. In an effort to
combat the 100 deadliest days of summer and reduce tragedies in the State of Alabama, the
Agency launched the “101 Days of Summer Safety” campaign to spread awareness on the
dangers of risky driving behaviors and encourage safety talks with teens and loved ones. As of
Sept. 1, 2024, the Agency has experienced 32 fewer traffic fatalities compared to the same time
in 2023.
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said, “While we are encouraged by the decrease in fatalities, there is
still much work to be done. These tragic incidents underline the importance of road safety, as
well boating safety, and the ongoing need for vigilance and adherence to the state’s laws
throughout the entire year.”
ALEA’s Department of Public Safety Director, Colonel Jonathan Archer agreed and said, “We
would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the families who lost a loved one over the
holiday weekend. At ALEA, we often say one life is one too many. As law enforcement officers,
we are sworn to protect and serve and that includes doing our best to be proactive and reduce crashes and fatalities. As we move towards fall, football and other seasonal festivities that may cause for heavier traffic on the state’s roadways, please help us prevent unnecessary tragedies by committing to wearing a seat belt, avoiding distractions, and always drive sober.”
Apart from roadway and water safety, the Agency also completed another successful Rescue
Swimmer Detail along the state’s Gulf Coast. The Rescue Swimmer Detail is an initiative that
partners ALEA’s Aviation Unit with the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Rescue
Swimmers from both fire departments are deployed from the Agency’s aircraft to swimmers in
distress. During the Labor Day weekend, 12 patrol flights were conducted with one additional
call for service for a missing diver who was located prior to the helicopter’s launch. The Unit
also conducted six training deployments with the rescue swimmers.
Media Release/Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey/Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
