Alaska State Troopers, as of August 18th, increased high-visibility patrols on Alaska’s highways, and that continues through the Labor Day holiday weekend to prevent fatal and serious-injury crashes.
Tim DeSpain, Public Information Officer for the Alaska State Troopers:
“Alaska State Troopers will have increased high visibility patrols on Alaska highways continuing through the Labor Day holiday. While troopers will be focusing on DUI enforcement for both drugs and alcohol, they’ll also watch for aggressive driving, distracted driving, speeding, and seatbelt enforcement as well.”
DeSpain says the increased patrols are due to a grant:
“The grants are designated for times of the year when there’s increased traffic. People are out traveling. For this specific one, there’s a lot of people getting in the last of their camping and hunting and everything else before the fall season and winter sets in. There’s just a lot of increased traffic on the roadways. The grants focus on that and give us the means to have troopers working overtime to get more troopers out there and also to have an increased presence on the roads that hopefully just the high visibility aspect of it will deter poor driving behaviors.”
The high-visibility effort is part of the annual national anti-DUI campaign “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving; Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over; Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over; If You Feel Different, You Drive Different”. This year’s campaign runs from Aug. 18 through Sept. 7.
Alaskans can help keep roadways safe by not driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or any other substance that can cause impairment or drowsiness. If you plan on partaking, have a designated sober driver or plan to stay the night.
Additionally, motorists witnessing others driving dangerously are encouraged to make a REDDI report (Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately) by calling 911.