Holiday traffic enforcement efforts continue statewide heading into the new year.
Austin McDaniel, Public Information Officer for the Alaska State Troopers spoke to KSRM saying that traffic enforcement patrols continue, “Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers will be out in force over the holiday due to a special funding grant from the Alaska Highway Safety Office to put additional troopers out watching for dangerous drivers that are driving under the influence of alcohol or any other impairing substance like marijuana. Just a reminder that, while 2020 may look different than years past, the consequences of DUI remain the same.”
The focused traffic enforcement began on December 16 and runs through January 4, 2021.
McDaniel says it doesn’t matter where in Alaska you travel, Troopers will be watching, “Alaska State Troopers will be out in force on every roadway in the state whether that be a major highway or a local road looking for any impaired drivers. Avoiding the highways won’t get you out of our special patrol areas. We’ve got people all over the state looking for this.”
McDaniel says motorists who see someone driving dangerously are encouraged to call in a REDDI – Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately – by calling 911, “Hearing just that first half of our special enforcement period, we had eight people call into trooper jurisdiction areas and report dangerous drivers. Five of those drivers were contacted by the troopers.”
Funding for increased traffic enforcement efforts comes from grants issued through the Alaska Highway Safety Office.