THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

The presence of more Alabama State Troopers on the highways can be felt around Selma, as a new safety initiative designed to &8220;Take Back Our Highways&8221; gets into full swing.

The Alabama Department of Public Safety announced its new push is to fight Alabama’s increasing traffic fatalities.

Traffic deaths are at its highest level since 1973, after a five percent increase over last year, and the Alabama District Attorney’s Association has teamed up with the Department of Public Safety to do something about it.

Through Friday, motorists can expect to see more state troopers on the highways.

The reason is because deaths from traffic accidents rose in Alabama last year and declined nationwide by two percent.

Reese said troopers would target primary violations that cause crashes, and contribute to more severe crashes.

Their focus is on halting violations such as speeding, failure to yield the right of way, following too closely, driver inattention and driving under the influence.

DPS Director Col. J. Christopher Murphy said Gov. Bob Riley and the legislature’s support have allowed them to hire additional troopers to supplement the state’s ranks.