MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Fall, football and the changing of the seasons is upon us as citizens around the nation prepare for the upcoming Labor Day weekend. However, before we celebrate the last holiday of summer, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) encourages everyone to plan ahead and prioritize safety.

ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said, “Labor Day is a time to celebrate America’s workforce as well as an opportunity to look into the future and ensure we are securing a better tomorrow. While this weekend serves as a time of reflection and focuses on our nation’s labor-based achievements, it is also a weekend to prioritize safety and make quality choices that help protect you and your loved ones. Choices that include wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, and being patient and courteous on the roadways and waterways can have a major impact on your safety and the safety of others around you. We hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday; however, please keep in mind that one bad choice can have life-changing consequences.”

During this year’s Labor Day travel period, ALEA Troopers will be on high-visibility patrols on the road and the water in an effort to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities. Additionally, the Agency’s Aviation Unit will perform Rescue Swimmer Detail flights along the Gulf Coast to protect and serve those visiting Alabama’s beaches. Other planned details include driver license checkpoints, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) operations and participation in the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign which began on Aug. 16 and runs through Sept. 2.

ALEA’s Department of Public Safety Director, Colonel Jonathan Archer said, “We are well- trained to identify signs of drunk driving on the road. Driving under the influence is a violation of the law, and a reckless act that puts the lives of drivers, their passengers, and others on the road at extreme risk. We want to make it clear that on this Labor Day weekend, we will have a zero-tolerance policy against drinking and driving or impaired driving. We urge everyone to keep safety in mind and make responsible choices to help us ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for all.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) one alcohol- impaired-driving fatality occurs every 39 minutes across the U.S. In Fiscal Year 2023, ALEA Troopers investigated 1,675 traffic crashes where driving under the influence was a contributing factor to the crash and 2,399 DUI violations were cited. This number does not include the DUI arrests and traffic crashes investigated by local law enforcement partners across the state.

Colonel Archer continued, “Operating a boat while impaired is equally as dangerous as driving a vehicle impaired. Both can have fatal consequences. If you are enjoying activities on the water this extended weekend, please do so responsibly.”

In Fiscal Year 2023, ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division cited Boating Under the Influence as the top water safety violation. So far in 2024, 61 boaters have been charged with Boating Under the Influence in Alabama. This is a 20 percent increase from the prior year.

Easy choices to make this Labor Day:

1. Buckle up and use PFDs: One of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up. Seat belts help secure you inside your vehicle, whereas not buckling up can result in being ejected from your vehicle in a crash. Like seat belts, a life jacket or PFD will help keep you safe and prepared if unexpected circumstances arise on the water. Children younger than age 8 are required to wear PFDs at all times (unless inside a permanently affixed cabin enclosure).

• Check your vehicle and vessel before you leave: It is always a smart choice to check your vehicle or boat before you leave the house to ensure everything is in proper working condition. Check tires, batteries, lights, wiper blades, fluid levels, cooling system, belts and hoses on your vehicle. Check navigation lights, sound signaling devices, fire extinguishers, PFDs, ventilation and oil levels in your vessel.

• Obey the posted speed limit and avoid distractions: We all know the frustrations of modern life and juggling a busy schedule, but speed limits are put in place to protect all road users, including first responders and construction workers. Remember Alabama’s Move Over Law when you see emergency lights and the State’s new hands-free law. Citizens may be issued a citation when observed crossing in and out of a traffic lane without using a turn signal, swerving or otherwise operating the vehicle in an impaired manner while physically holding a wireless telecommunication device.

Designate a sober driver: No matter where or how you celebrate this Labor Day, always designate a sober driver or utilize a ride-sharing service. Never drive or operate a boat while impaired. Substance use can impair perception, cognition, attention, balance, coordination and other brain functions necessary for safe driving and boating.