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The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is wrapping up 2023 with the launch of its annual “12 Days of Safety” Campaign to run throughout the holiday season. The campaign is a fun and festive platform designed to engage citizens and invite  Agency partners to join in sharing important safety tips and reminders that can help keep Alabama’s roadways safe and merry for all.  

“Often, the smallest of actions cause a ripple effect and create an enormous impact,” ALEA  Secretary Hal Taylor said. “We need everyone to incorporate safety into their holiday plans and  help share our message because you are truly the greatest gift you can give your family. All our  enforcement details, driving license checks, safety campaigns and daily operations are in an  effort to protect and safeguard the citizens of Alabama and keep everyone returning home to  their loved ones. We ask you to join the Agency’s efforts and give the gift of safety this holiday  season.”  

ALEA’s “12 Days of Safety” will begin Thursday, Dec. 21, and end Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. During this time, the Agency will share tips and information to shed light on various risky driving behaviors and their potential consequences, with a focus on drunk and impaired driving.  According to data compiled by the Center for Advanced Public Safety (CAPS), 5,005 crashes  occurred in 2022 because of impaired driving, resulting in 260 lives lost in the state of  Alabama. So far in 2023, impaired driving has been a contributing factor in 4,398 traffic crashes, resulting in 154 lives lost.  

Additionally, the Agency strongly encourages everyone to prepare their vehicles for holiday trips  by checking tires, antifreeze levels, oil, brakes, lights and hazard lights. When faced with winter  challenges, preparedness is necessary for reducing roadside disasters and ensuring your journey remains hassle-free. An emergency kit should be included in every vehicle and consist of a  flashlight, emergency blanket, jumper cables, cell phone charger, and water. For a full list of  essential supplies, CLICK HERE.  

“We ask everyone to remain courteous on the roadways, and ring in the New Year with a pledge  to make safety a top priority at all times of the year,” said ALEA’s Director of Public Safety  (DPS), Colonel Jon Archer. “Tragically, there were 15 lives lost during the recent extended  Thanksgiving travel period. If you are stopped by an ALEA Trooper this holiday season, please  understand they are attempting to save lives by enforcing the state’s laws. Those laws are set in  place to protect each citizen and visitor of this great state and reduce fatal tragedies. Seat belts  and proper child restraints have been proven to save lives; speeding and distracted driving  remain top contributing factors to traffic crashes; and, finally, as always, there will be a zero  tolerance for driving while impaired.” 

The official holiday travel period will once again span nine days beginning at 12:01 a.m.  Sunday, Dec. 24, and ending at midnight Monday, Jan. 1. During this time, ALEA’s Troopers  assigned to the Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol Divisions will conduct a variety of  enforcement activities, including driver license and equipment checkpoints, to curb dangerous  driving behaviors such as driving under the influence, driving while distracted, not buckling up, speeding and following too closely.  

Secretary Taylor added, “We wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas, as well as a safe and  joyous New Year. Our Agency looks forward to a new year of protecting and serving the great  state of Alabama.”  

ALEA’s 12 Days of Safety Topics: 

1. Thursday, Dec. 21 – Know before you go and vehicle preparedness 
2. Friday, Dec. 22 – Seat-belt safety and GDL law review 
3. Saturday, Dec. 23 – Distracted driving and following too closely 
4. Sunday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – Drunk driving 
5. Monday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Rural road and short trip safety reminders 6. Tuesday, Dec. 26 – Pedestrian safety 
6. Wednesday, Dec. 27 – Speeding 
7. Thursday, Dec. 28 – Move Over law review and CMV safety 
8. Friday, Dec. 29 – Courteous driving 
9. Saturday, Dec. 30 – Impaired driving 
10. Sunday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – Drunk driving 
11. Monday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – Drowsy driving after the holidays/late nights.