Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded nearly $1 million in grants to help state law enforcement officers to maintain safe highways in Alabama.
The grants, awarded to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, will increase trooper presence on the highways and ensure that dangerous drivers who have had driver license privileges suspended remain off the roads.
“While everyone should always drive defensively, crashes caused by impaired or reckless drivers can occur in an instant,” Bentley said. “This funding will allow our troopers to monitor state roads more closely, remove unsafe drivers and keep them off the roads. I also encourage motorists who see any unsafe drivers to call *47 or *HP and report them.”
Two grants totaling $887,287 will enable troopers to increase patrols during periods of heavy traffic, including major holidays. A $24,381 grant will help the agency more efficiently handle appeal hearings of drivers whose licenses have been suspended.
Bentley notified Spencer Collier, Secretary of Law Enforcement, that the funding had been approved.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants with funds provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ADECA manages a wide range of programs that support law enforcement and public safety, economic development, workforce development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
Contact Jim Plott or Larry Childers