ALEA Reports Fewer Traffic Fatalities During 2026 July 4th Weekend
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
July 13, 2026
MONTGOMERY, Ala. The 4th of July holiday is a very busy time in Alabama, and we often see many traffic collisions and sadly, traffic fatalities statewide.
But this year, ALEA is reporting that although there were quite a few wrecks, serious injuries and fatal crashes were down.
Officials with ALEA said that the holiday campaign counted the holiday travel period between Friday, July 3, and Sunday, July 5.
ALEA said increased patrols during this period and participation in national traffic safety initiatives including Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over on roadways and Operation Dry Water on the waterways, troopers were focused on deterring impaired driving and boating and ALEA is reporting a significant decline in traffic fatalities during their Fourth of July holiday enforcement campaign.
During the 2026 Fourth of July holiday travel period, ALEA investigated 263 traffic crashes, resulting in 129 injuries and four fatalities statewide.
In 2025, ALEA investigated 324 traffic crashes with 155 injuries and 12 fatalities.
ALEA officials said that’s a 66% reduction in roadway fatalities in 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
ALEA troopers said they also issued 2,639 traffic citations and 1,034 warnings. They also made 46 driving under the influence (DIU) arrests.
On the waterways, ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division investigated nine boating incidents and one serious boating incident involving a missing person. They also made 555 vessel stops, issuing 235 citations and 695 warnings. They also made three boating under the influence (BUI) arrests.
“This year’s Fourth of July holiday results demonstrate the positive impact that enforcement, education and personal responsibility can have on public safety,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Reducing traffic fatalities from 12 last year to four this year is a meaningful achievement and reflects the combined efforts of our Agency personnel, our public safety partners and the countless motorists who made safe, responsible decisions behind the wheel. While we are encouraged by this progress, our mission remains unchanged because even one life lost is one too many.”
Taylor said he wants residents of the state to know that safe choices extend beyond any holiday weekend.
“Whether you’re traveling on our highways or enjoying Alabama’s lakes and rivers, every decision matters,” Taylor said.
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