By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
Local and state law enforcement officers will be more visible during the upcoming holiday weekend in an effort to decrease the number of traffic accidents and related traffic citations.
Suarez said a number of items will be on the checklist for those officers on patrol during the increased awareness period.
The Brewton Police Department will be joining an initiative of the Alabama Department of Public Safety in that department's Memorial Day and Summer Traffic campaign.
Col. J. Christopher Murphy, Department of Public Safety director for the state of Alabama said troopers and other agencies will be working together to conduct checkpoints that target compliance with the state's seat belt and child restraint laws.
Last year during the 78-hour Memorial Day weekend, nine people were killed in traffic accidents in the state. At least two of the deaths were alcohol related and six of the crash victims were not using safety restraints.
Murphy said all available troopers will be on duty throughout the holiday period that begins at 6 p.m. Friday and ends at midnight, May 26.
Murphy said troopers also would be available to assist motorists and issued a reminder about Alabama's “move over” law. The law requires that vehicles on roads with four or more lanes move over one lane when passing an emergency vehicle that is stopped roadside with emergency lights activated. When the vehicle cannot safely move over, the law requires the driver to slow down and pass with caution.
Alabama's seat belt law requires that all front-seat occupants, regardless of age, be restrained.