Alabama State Trooper talks Labor Day weekend

MONTGOMERY, Ala ( WIAT ) — Alabama State Troopers are getting ready for a busy travel weekend for Labor Day.

Sgt. Jeremy Burkett said this weekend is different than others. He explained that Labor Day means the kickoff of football season, and football season in Alabama can also mean celebration, which can result in drinking.

Burkett gave a warning for driving under the influence. “As it relates to that, we got out and tried to be proactive. We arrested over 2300 people for DUI. So that’s one of the main focuses,” Burkett explained.

Burkett says this applies to the waterways, too.

“If you’re on a vessel, and you’re operating, and you’re impaired, and we stop you, then we are gonna put you in jail,” Burkett said. “That’s not to ruin your holiday, not to ruin your good time. But that’s to protect you, especially if you got passengers on that vessel.”

Back on the road, State Troopers are also there to help drivers.

“If you do have a flat tire or something happens, even if you don’t know how to change it, you have all the things necessary,” said Burkett. “That way, if a law enforcement officer shows up to the scene, then we can assist you changing your tire. But if you don’t have a spare tire, that makes it really hard.”

Sgt. Burkett said to be courteous on the road and on the water. Aggressive driving, he said, can lead to wrecks.

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