Alabama experiencing spike in fatal car crashes due to widespread refusal to buckle up

For thousands of high school and college students across the state, March means Spring Break – which means road trips. Caravans of cars will be hitting the road – mostly heading south – full of spring breakers ready for a week off to think of nothing but laying in the sun.

Those behind the wheel in those caravans may want to have their minds and eyes on the road more closely this year. Alabama State Troopers say they have seen double the number of fatal crashes since this time last year.

The State Troopers have already investigated over 5,000 traffic crashes in 2016. Of those 5,000, 107 have been fatal, which is 40 more fatalities than this point last year.

Many of those fatalities have one frightening detail in common.

“58 percent of those fatal crashes we worked, the fatal victim was not wearing a seat belt,” said Alabama State Trooper Reginal King.

Wearing a seat belt can be the difference between life and death, and it’s such a simple solution that it’s surprising so many people still don’t buckle up.

Trooper King offered some other suggestions to help cut down on the number of fatal crashes this year: “If we could get motorists to slow down, obey all rules of the road way, buckle your seat belt, buckle it properly, we feel we could reduce the number of crashes which would ultimately reduce the number of traffic fatalities,” he said.

Teen drivers are particularly at risk for accidents. Cell phones and other distractions can make driving more dangerous for teens and others around them. Trooper King said it’s up to the parents to teach their teens how to drive safely and responsibly. Alabama’s Graduated Driver’s License law is something that is often overlooked by teens and their parents. This law helps protect new drivers and gives them more time to get comfortable behind the wheel, which could save their lives and others’ lives in the future.

Alabama is already not known for having the best drivers. In fact, a recent study listed Alabama as having the 16th worst drivers in the country. If Alabama drivers took the advice of our State Troopers, maybe we could bring that number up.

These lessons are particularly important as Spring Break approaches, but all drivers should remember to be alert, drive safe, and buckle up.