(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) – While celebrating the Fourth of July, few things are as patriotic as filling the sky with flashes of red, white, and blue lights. During this upcoming holiday weekend, Troopers won’t hesitate to share their national colors on the road with motorists who are not practicing safe driving behaviors. Alaska State Troopers will mostly be out on the roads enforcing traffic laws and responding to calls for service while Alaska Wildlife Troopers will focus on contacting people out fishing or recreating around Alaskan lakes, rivers and seas.
Starting July 2 and running through July 6, Alaska State Troopers will be conducting overtime patrols to keep the traffic influx moving safely up and down the highways. Since highway traffic is expected to be heavy on the Seward and Sterling highways due to numerous events on the Kenai Peninsula, the Alaska Bureau of Highway Patrol will be conducting focused patrols in these areas looking for poor driver behaviors like aggressive and distracted driving. Meanwhile, Alaska Wildlife Troopers will focus on fishing enforcement patrols with special emphasis on boating safety laws and boating under the influence this weekend in addition to checking whether people are complying with fishing regulations.
Along with other driver behavior issues, part of this effort to decrease the number of fatal and serious injury crashes is boosting public awareness regarding the dangers of impaired driving. The latest public service announcement called “DUI Marijuana” can be viewed on the Alaska Department of Public Safety website or YouTube:
DUI Marijuana June 2015 (.wmv)
Additionally, the State Fire Marshal’s Office lifted the suspension on fireworks sales throughout the state with the exception of western Alaska. The State Fire Marshal’s Office recommends you check with your local jurisdiction regarding the use of fireworks. Fireworks can pose an extreme fire danger and also have a tendency to cause physical injuries. Children should never be allowed to play with fireworks and in general, should be taught fire safety.
Regardless of what your ultimate plans are for the holiday weekend, Troopers encourage you to always practice safe driving behaviors when getting behind the wheel or handlebars. The first step is by clicking that seat belt or wearing a helmet or life jacket when applicable. And as always, Troopers also encourage everyone to Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately by calling 9-1-1.
Funding for the focused highway enforcement was provided in part by grant sources distributed through the Alaska Highway Safety Office.
