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The state of Alabama is sending out a loud message that they are "taking back the highways" to combat increasing traffic fatalities. The initiative places all available troopers from all divisions and all ranks on patrol duty from Aug. 13-17 in an intensive highway effort. Col. J. Christopher Murphy of the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) reports that Alabama traffic deaths are at their all time highest since 1973. "At a time when traffic fatalities nationwide are on the decline, we cannot say the same is true for Alabama," he said. "Tragically for our state and for all who share her highways, traffic fatalities in Alabama have increased." Traffic deaths rose five percent, bringing the 2006 total to 1,208; whereas nationwide deaths fell two percent. In regards to trucking, state fatalities dropped from 164 deaths to 122; a 26 percent decrease and fatal crashes involving large trucks dropped from 135 to 119. The Alabama Trucking Association reports that less than 11 percent of all highway fatalities were truck related in 2005-down from 14.2 in 2004 "In other words, that's 42 lives saved and 16 less crashes by the diligence and efforts of Alabama truckers and state local enforcement," Frank Filgo, Alabama Trucking Association president and CEO said. "Our Association and Alabama's trucking industry are strongly committed to making Alabama's roadways safer for all uses. These numbers clearly demonstrate our commitment to highway safety." During the week long blitz, all available troopers were in uniform and on patrol during the program, including the addition of approximately 200 troopers normally assigned to duties other than patrol. "I [took] Alabama Bureau of Investigation agents away from their normal duties for that week, and I [had] Driver License troopers working the roads," Murphy said. "From aviation, to our training academy, to the major and captains who serve on my staff, every available trooper will be in uniform." DPS spokeswoman Dorris Teague explained the effort as wanting to have motorists focus on driving. "We hope that motorists will become increasingly aware of driving safely, obeying speed limits and avoid following too closely," she said. "Driver inattention is a problem these days when people are multi-tasking when they are not focused on driving." Teague provided the Signal with data from August 13-16 on the number and types of tickets issued. During the four days, troopers issued a total of 18,557; an increase of 14,940 over the same period last year. Troopers issued 3,617 for the same four days in 2006. Majority of tickets issued were speeding; 10,004 total tickets issued. The next highest volumes were following too closely (565 tickets); and improper lane change (272 tickets). Some shouted on various message boards across the internet concerning the blitz, that it was solely designed to put more money in the state's coffers. One poster claimed to be a state employee who could not disclose their identity. Teague quickly denied such claims. "The program is not to generate revenue. It is about saving lives," she explained. "Zero tolerance is certainly in place for driving while impaired. Speeding and driving under the influence were major factors."
The National Motorists Association (NMA), an organization that advocates for motorists wants assurance that this effort is solely about safety and not revenue. "If they are going to step up enforcement to this level, then they need to be focusing on areas that are high in number of accidents and deaths," Aaron Quinn, spokesman said. "They should be in areas where speed limits are obviously under posted."
Earlier in the year, Gov. Bob Riley declared a speed zone in Birmingham at the interchange where interstates 20, 65 and 59 meet. The interchange has seen several accidents caused by steel coils dropping off the back of trucks, damaging the highway. The Alabama Department of Transportation recommended the reduction, because excessive speed has been in a factor in most of the accidents.
The NMA pointed out that a properly set speed limit that reflects the reasonable behavior of the vast majority of motorists is both complied with and results in a smoother and safer traffic flow. "The failure to set speed limits by proper engineering standards results in poor compliance and less safe roads. It also creates the perception that speed limits are meaningless," Steve Carrellas, state coordinator for the New Jersey chapter of NMA said in 2001.
The statement came at a time when New Jersey was expanding their 65 mph speed limit to other areas. Carrellas is also concerned about individuals and organizations who continue to repeat what he calls "the urban myths of speed limits." "They engage in scare tactics and myths linking higher speed limits to crashes and incredibly faster driving when decades of research and the state's own data never support this conclusion. They must have some other agenda aside from safety in mind," he said.
St. Clair district attorney, Richard Minor promised continued vigorous prosecution of those who break driving laws.
"As prosecutors, we are all too familiar with the stories of drivers who have killed or caused serious injuries to themselves and other motorists on the roadways of Alabama due to speeding and aggressive driving," he said. "Furthermore, we have committed to the vigorous prosecution, as we do everyday in courtrooms across our great state, of those who would ignore the warnings given."
Teague reported that revenue from the tickets goes to the general fund of the state. The DPS has stated that more blitzes will be done in the future. One example given is using 50 troopers in a designated area on any given day.
Quinn is urging motorists to talk with their legislators about improving speed limits. His advice for motorists; travel with the flow of traffic and not standout.
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