The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is working with multiple local law enforcement agencies across the state to make sure everyone stays safe on the roads throughout the week of Thanksgiving. Whether driving cross country or just across town to celebrate the holiday, remember to buckle up. Every trip. Every time.
Starting Saturday, Nov. 23, and running through Sunday, Dec. 1, ALEA Troopers will conduct highvisibility enforcement details such as driver license checkpoints and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) operations. Specialized details for the Thanksgiving holiday will include targeting highcrash areas along busy corridors and partnerships with local law enforcement agencies for driver license checkpoints, all in an effort to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities.
ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director, Colonel Jonathan Archer agreed and said, “The Thanksgiving holiday marks the beginning of a cherished time of year. Tragically, manyAlabama families experience loss due to preventable motor vehicle accidents caused by impaired driving, speeding, and failure to wear seat belts.”
In addition to being required by law, buckling up is the best defense against injury or death in a crash. According to data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2022 (6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, to 5:59 a.m. on Monday, November 28), there were 326 passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes across the nation, and 43% (141) were unrestrained. Not wearing a seat belt proved to be deadly at any time of the day during the holiday weekend: 47% of those killed in nighttime crashes were unbuckled, and 38% of those killed in daytime crashes also were unbuckled. These deaths represent needless tragedies for families across America and may have been prevented with the simple click of a seat belt.
“No matter how long or short your drive, it’s critical that drivers and passengers Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time. We want everyone to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Please, make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled before you ever turn on the car — and that includes children being in the correct car seats, too,” continued Colonel Archer.
