MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol Divisions dedicated the 2025 Labor Day weekend to enforcement and safety operations designed to keep Alabama’s roadways and waterways safe for citizens and visitors alike.

Between 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, and midnight Monday, Sept. 1, ALEA said, Troopers worked tirelessly to prevent crashes and deadly incidents. While no traffic fatalities were reported on two of the four days, six individuals tragically lost their lives during the other two days of the extended holiday period.

Fatal crashes occurred in Choctaw, Colbert, Lauderdale, Talladega and Tuscaloosa counties and involved a motorcycle, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and an electric bicycle. None of the three riders were wearing helmets at the time of the crashes, and among the three other vehicle occupants, only one individual was properly restrained with a seat belt.

Highway Patrol enforcement

Throughout the holiday period, ALEA Troopers investigated 371 crashes, which resulted in 147 injuries, including the six fatalities. Troopers also made 33 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) and issued:

• 473 citations for seat belt violations
• 2,324 citations for speeding
• 4,696 total citations for various traffic violations
• 1,638 total warnings for various traffic violations

Marine Patrol enforcement

During the same period, ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division investigated three boating incidents, which resulted in four injuries. These incidents occurred on Lake Martin, Neely Henry Lake and in Orange Beach on the Intracoastal Waterway. While there were no boating fatalities or drownings, ALEA Troopers remained active in enforcement efforts, which included:

• 538 marine safety warnings issued
• 67 marine safety citations issued
• 310 vessel inspections conducted
• 1 boating under the influence (BUI) arrest

The single-vessel crash that occurred on Sunday, Aug. 31, on Lake Martin left a 12-year-old juvenile injured. Following an investigation, ALEA Troopers determined the operator did not possess the required boating license. As a result, the registered owner of the 2024 Sea-Doo the child was operating was issued an Alabama Uniform Boating Traffic Citation for giving permission to operate a vessel without a license.

This incident serves as a critical reminder of Alabama’s boating education and operator certification requirements:

• No one under the age of 12 may operate any motorized vessel, including personal watercrafts (PWCs) such as a Sea-Doo and WaveRunner, on Alabama waterways
• Individuals must be at least 12 years old to be eligible for a vessel operator’s license but cannot operate a vessel alone until age 14
• Operators ages 12 or 13, after obtaining a license, may operate only if a licensed adult (21 or older) is onboard and in position to take immediate control.
• Operators age 14 and older, with a valid license, may legally operate unsupervised
• The operator’s license must be in possession while operating the vessel

Aviation Unit and coastal safety

Additionally, as in previous summer holidays, ALEA’s Aviation Unit partnered with the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores for the Rescue Swimmer Detail along Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

Over the weekend, the detail conducted nine helicopter patrol flights and responded to three calls for swimmers in distress.

Although the holiday weekend has passed, ALEA reminds everyone to remain vigilant and make safety a priority year-round — whether traveling Alabama roadways or enjoying time on the water.

For more information on Alabama traffic and boating laws, visit www.alea.gov.