Alabamians of all ages will celebrate this Independence Day weekend with fireworks, parades and parties at home and on the water.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) urges everyone to remember safety is key when traveling Alabama’s roadways and waterways as Fourth of July activities often involve alcohol and may result in traffic or boating crashes, injuries and fatalities.

The official holiday travel period is from 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3, to midnight Sunday, July 5. During that time, Alabama State Troopers assigned to Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol will boost enforcement efforts and promote highway and waterway safety. The previous year, for which the holiday travel period ran Thursday through Sunday, Troopers assigned to Highway Patrol investigated 237 crashes, resulting in 10 fatalities and 123 injuries, and they made 77 DUI arrests. Troopers assigned to Marine Patrol investigated seven boating crashes, resulting in one boating fatality, and they made 20 BUI arrests.

“We at ALEA are teaming with our local law enforcement partners to reduce injuries and deaths during this holiday period by enforcing traffic, boating and alcoholic beverage laws,” Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier said (pictured top- left). “Still, we need help from you, the public. We want this to be a safe and enjoyable time.”

Collier added that motorists should slow down in construction zones as drivers pose the greatest danger in these areas by speeding, not paying attention and driving while impaired or distracted.

During the extended holiday, all available Troopers will work additional shifts on Alabama’s roadways, thanks to grants from the Alabama Department of

Economic and Community Affairs and the Alabama Department of Transportation.

ALEA urges Alabama residents to follow the safety tips below:

• Avoid driving or boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Buckle up on the road or on the water — no matter how short your trip. Occupants of all ages should use seat belts or child restraints when traveling by motor vehicles. On waterways, all occupants of water vessels should use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

• Focus on driving or boating, and avoid such distractions as texting and using cell phones.
• Restrict access and closely monitor teens to prevent underage use of alcoholic beverages.