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Alabama highway deaths greatly reduced

By Nick Lough – bio|email
Posted by Dana Franks - email

FLORENCE, AL (WAFF) - Highway deaths across Alabama have taken a huge nosedive, and State Troopers said they believe a large part of the success is due to the public.

The Alabama Highway Patrol responds to thousands of accidents every year. Troopers spend a lot of time trying to limit everything from fender-benders to fatalities, and new numbers show it's working. The number of state-trooper investigated highway deaths is down 35 percent since 2006.

"You've got to attribute a lot of this to the typical everyday motorist who's taken it into consideration the desire to want to drive better," said Alabama Highway Patrol Corporal Thad Chandler.

But not everyone is driving under control. Officials said 520 people have lost their lives on the road this year; 242 on country roads. That's only 44 fewer than last year, and Troopers point to manpower.

"We simply do not have enough Troopers to cover the secondary roads," said Chandler.

Instead, they're focusing their resources on their strength - major arteries where accidents can happen at high speeds. Officials said they believe if they cut down on collisions there, it will have a bigger impact in the long run.

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