Russell County Sheriff’s Office uses grant funding to fight speeders

RUSSELL COUNTY, Al.  (WRBL) — The Russell County Sheriff’s Office – with the help of a grant from the state of Alabama – is focusing on speeders along major roadways. 

This comes as drivers gear up for the Fourth of July. One of the busiest travel weeks of the year. 

WRBL’s Chuck Williams spent some time on U.S. Highway 431 South Friday morning and spoke with deputies who provided insight on how they look to keep roads safe during the busy holiday season.

Around this time of year, thousands of vehicles navigate each day going to and from the Florida beaches. 

The Russell County Sheriff’s Office says it will be out on Highway 431 and other major roads in the county, while planning to beef up patrols. 

Deputies told Williams that the State of Alabama hands out millions of dollars – more than $7 million last year – to local law enforcement agencies to conduct speed enforcement. With that the Russell County Sheriff’s Office gets about $50,000 of that grant, which could mean trouble for those with heavy foots and Florida in their sights.

And the high traffic flow mixed with speeders adds to the potential danger on the roadways.

“You know, really, we can’t because we only have so many troopers assigned to our county, and we only have so many deputies. And when you get outside the city limits, sometimes we struggle with having enough enforcement on the roads,” said Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor.

Taylor added, “We’re really trying to take advantage of our state grants to give us more money to put extra deputies that are off duty out on the highways — 431, 165, Highway 80.” 

These grant funds are administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. It originated from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Catching speeders can be a game of cat and mouse for deputies, while some of the available technology drivers are using to detect cops – authorities are using it too. 

While deputies use a radar and other tools of the trade to try and catch speeders, they also utilize the popular app “Waze,” which is reportedly used by millions of motorists.

Even Taylor acknowledges the game has changed for those looking for ways to circumvent the speeding laws. 

“Sure. I mean, that’s something that’s been going on now for the last couple of years that we have to deal with. And, you know, you can’t get mad about it. You just got to figure out how to play the game,” said Taylor.

“I just came back from the National Sheriff’s Association and speaking with other sheriffs around the country. They know where we are because of 431. Soon as they asked me ‘where I’m from?’ and I tell them, they’re like, ‘oh yeah, I go through there going to Florida,'” Taylor recalled.

Taylor added, “431 you know, to be a non-interstate, 431 is one of the most dangerous roads in the country. Certainly prior to them making it a four lane all the way down to Barbour County. But even since then, it’s still an extremely dangerous stretch of highway.” 

While the Fourth of July holiday approaches, deputies are providing a fair warning to drivers to watch their speed on the road and along the interstate or potentially face a hefty fine, which could possibly ruin a vacation.