As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is urging all drivers to make safety a top priority on our roads and waterways. With a significant increase in travel expected, ALEA is stepping up efforts to ensure the safety and health of all residents and visitors.

Earlier this week, the agency noNational Safe Boating Week We also continue to share important water safety tips ahead of the holiday season. With Memorial Day approaching, there will also be an increased focus on keeping the state's roadways safe as officials prepare to launch their annual “101 Days of Summer Safety” campaign.

Each year, the campaign begins Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day in September, highlighting various safety messages and participating in community events along the way.

“Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and we expect heavy traffic as family and friends take to the highways to travel and enjoy time with loved ones,” said ALEA Executive Director Hal Taylor. “This weekend is a time of remembrance and celebration, but it's also a time to prioritize safety. We urge everyone to drive responsibly, stay alert and make safe choices on both our roads and waterways. Your actions and smart decisions could not only save your life, but the lives of those around you.”

RELATED: ALEA announces new boating safety law, urges Alabamians to stay safe on the water this Memorial Day

All ALEA officers patrol our highways and waterways, watching for dangerous driving and boating behavior. Officers assigned to ALEA's Highway Patrol Division specifically manage the numerous driver's license checkpoints throughout the state and enforce traffic laws with a particular focus on:

**Speeding**: Speeding is one of the main causes of accidents. Police officers will monitor speeding and take appropriate disciplinary measures.

**Drunk driving**: ALEA has a zero tolerance policy towards drunk driving. Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

**Seatbelt Use**: Seat belts save lives. Officers enforce seat belt laws and ensure all occupants are wearing their seat belts. Alabama law requires all occupants of a motor vehicle to wear seat belts. The national “No Seat Belt, No Fine” campaign began May 22 and will run through June 2.

**Careless Driving**In Alabama, there were 1,844 accidents due to distracted driving while using a cell phone in 2020, and 1,972 accidents in 2019. Under current law in Alabama, texting while driving is illegal in the state.

ALEA encourages community members to get involved in promoting road safety. “We urge everyone to take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others on the roads,” said Col. Jonathan Archer, ALEA's Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director. “If you see unsafe driving behavior, please call police. We absolutely need the public's cooperation this Memorial Day holiday weekend to help reduce accidents, prevent injuries, and ultimately save lives.”

To further protect and assist Alabama residents and visitors, the agency's aviation unit is partnering with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for the third consecutive year to conduct Summer Swim Rescue Missions. ALEA will provide the aircraft and pilots to rapidly fly rescue personnel from both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach fire departments to swimmers in distress. Aircraft will also be used for beach safety flights to patrol areas not manned by lifeguards.

“Planning ahead, understanding the risks and taking safety-focused management measures are essential to enjoying Alabama's beautiful waterways, but this is especially true if you plan on spending Memorial Day weekend on the state's white sand beaches. The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most stunning beaches in the world, but it is filled with many hazards, including marine life and rip currents. “More than 80 percent of rescues performed by beach lifeguards are due to rip currents, which is exactly why our Air Squadron pilots work hand in hand with local lifeguards and rescue swimmers to help those in need,” said Sergeant Jeremy Burkett, ALEA Administrative Director.

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