Alabama State Troopers investigated eight traffic fatalities over Thanksgiving weekend, up one from the previous year.
The holiday weekend travel period began at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and ended at midnight Sunday.
The deadly crashes happened in Cleburne, Dallas, Elmore, Lee, Mobile and Pike counties. The numbers provide by troopers do not include traffic fatalities worked by other law enforcement agencies.
The fatalities included one motorcyclist. Four of the seven victims traveling in vehicles equipped with seat belts were not buckled up at the time of the crashes, trooper officials reported.
“I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the families of the eight individuals who tragically lost their lives during the holiday travel period,’’ said Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Hal Taylor. “No one should have to endure the heart-wrenching notification from an ALEA Trooper that their loved one is not returning home.
“Throughout the holidays, traffic congestion is expected to continue, and it is imperative to exercise patience and good judgement behind the wheel,’’ Taylor said. “We all must do our part to ensure we continue to make Alabama roadways safer for all who travel them.”
Troopers investigated seven traffic-related fatalities in 2021, eight in 2020 and 11 in 2019 during the same holiday travel period.
“Although statistics change, the causes of these crashes remain the same. Impairment, speeding, distractions and lack of seat belts are all common factors of deadly crashes in our state,’’ said Colonel Jimmy Helms, the director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety.
“Our top priority is to promote public safety by enforcing Alabama’s traffic laws in order to reduce crashes and save lives,’’ Helms said. “We continue to urge everyone to ‘save room for safety’ this holiday season and avoid dangerous driving behaviors.”
Troopers will continue to work to boost patrols and focus on safety initiatives to inform and educate the public on risky driving behaviors ahead of Christmas and New Year’s.