By By Lisa Tindell – news writer
Police officers in Brewton and East Brewton will join Alabama State Troopers in a campaign to make highway travel safer.
In what will be the second program dubbed “Take Back Our Highways,” increased patrolling on city and state roads will be conducted Nov. 19-25.
Brewton police will have those additional officers on duty Nov. 21 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Nov. 23 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., McGougin said.
The focus of the Brewton Police Department will be on DUIs, seat belt use and road blocks.
The Alabama Department of Public Safety first introduced the “Take Back Our Highways” program in August with a weeklong focus on promoting highway safety.
East Brewton's police department notified officials at the Evergreen Post of the Alabama State Troopers of their planned participation in the weeklong initiative..
Motorists are encouraged to buckle up, obey the speed limit and all other traffic laws and refraining from drinking a driving to help ensure safety of everyone on the highways, Ward said.
The Alabama Department of Public Safety has declared the initiative for the full week surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday with an intense focus during the 102-hour period beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21 and ending at midnight Sunday, Nov. 25.
In 2006 during the 102-hour period, 19 people were killed in traffic crashes on Alabama roadways. Twelve of the fatalities were in rural areas with seven in urban areas. At least three of the fatalities were alcohol-related and eight of the occupants killed were not using seat belts, Murphy said.