Alaska State Troopers and the Department of Public Safety are increasing patrols for the Fourth of July weekend in an effort to prevent fatal and serious-injury crashes through robust DUI enforcement. While troopers will be on the lookout for driving under the influence for both alcohol and drugs, they also will watch for aggressive driving, distracted driving, speeding and people not wearing their seatbelts.
Austin McDaniel with the Alaska Department of Public Safety tells KSRM:
“We will have the Alaska State Troopers and Alaska wildland Troopers out in force both on the roadways and on our riverways/waterways across the state. On the roadways, they’ll be looking for drivers that are driving recklessly or speeding. They’ll be looking for impaired drivers. This weekend we’re really encouraging Alaskans as we see a large influx of people traveling all over the state on our highways, just give yourself extra time and be patient. There’s roadwork. There’s going to be a lot of extra drivers, just be patient. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination. This weekend as you head out into the rivers and lakes of Alaska to fish, make sure you have your valid Alaska fishing license for this year. Make sure that you have any necessary tags or additional licensing that may be required for the species that you’re going after. As well, fire danger is extremely high across the entire state of Alaska. Along with our friends over at the division of forestry as well as the Alaska Fire Service, we encourage everyone to be very firewise this weekend.”
McDaniel adds:
“If you’re heading out into the backcountry, make sure you tell at least one person where you’re going, what you’ll be doing and how you’re going to be getting there just so that way in case anything goes wrong, they can let troopers know when you may not make it back and help communicate with us so we can help find you.”
Remember that traffic fines are doubled in construction zones and safety corridors. Regardless of what your plans are for this holiday weekend, Troopers encourage you to practice safe driving behaviors when operating a motor vehicle or watercraft.