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Special to the Signal

Governor Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling nearly $3.5 million to support law enforcement efforts to make Alabama roads safer, including those in Lowndes County, by preventing injuries and fatalities.

The state’s four regional traffic safety offices will use the funds, announced Thursday, Aug. 3, to cover overtime for local police officers and sheriff’s deputies conducting extra patrols and checkpoints during peak travel times targeting speeding, seat belt violations and drunken driving. Some funds will cover extra patrols during the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign from Aug. 17 to Sept. 3 and “Click It or Ticket” from May 21 to June 3, 2018.

“Drivers who get behind the wheel while impaired or disobey traffic laws present a danger to every motorist on the road,” Ivey said. “With this funding, I am pleased to support the local police officers and sheriffs’ deputies who work long hours to enforce the law and provide motorists with a clear reminder to drive safely and responsibly.”

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available to the state by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ADECA manages a wide array of programs that support law enforcement and traffic safety, workforce development, energy conservation, water resource management, economic development and recreation.

“Governor Ivey is a strong proponent of increased highway safety, especially during peak driving periods such as the summer and holidays,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is proud to join Gov. Ivey to continue our partnership with the four highway safety offices and local law enforcement agencies to help make Alabama’s roads safer for everyone traveling in our state.”

Ivey awarded grants including one to the Southeast Alabama Regional Highway Safety Office that includes Lowndes County.

She awarded $549,977 for the Southeast Alabama Regional Highway Safety Office at Enterprise State Community College. The office serves Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lowndes, Montgomery, Pike, Russell and Tuscaloosa counties.