During its annual period of increased highway patrols over Thanksgiving week, Alaska’s Department of Safety issued nearly three times as many citations and responded to almost twice the number of collisions compared with last year’s holiday enforcement campaign, according to a Wednesday press release from DPS.
Around major holidays, Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers conduct extra traffic enforcement as part of a national safety campaign. The increased enforcement efforts are funded through grants provided by the Alaska Highway Safety Office.
This year, increased enforcement was conducted between Nov. 16 and Nov. 29. Last year the enforcement campaign had a shorter window, running from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1.
This year troopers made the following arrests, citations and contacts:
10 misdemeanor DUI arrests and two felony DUI arrests, compared to 10 misdemeanor DUIs last year
647 traffic citations were issued, with 268 of those issued for speeding and 85 issued for seat belt or other occupant restraint violations. Last year there were 232 citations issued, of which 53 were for speeding and 60 were for occupant restraint violations.
36 drivers were charged with driving with a suspended or revoked license, compared to eight motorists last year.
17 Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately (REDDI) reports were made. Of those contacted, nine were determined to not be driving under the influence. Last year, 27 REDDI reports were made, and five contacted drivers were determined to not be DUI.
Troopers investigated 86 damage-only crashes, eight collisions where someone involved was injured and zero fatal collisions. Last year there were 39 damage-only collisions, nine injury crashes and zero fatal collisions.
Motorists are always encouraged to make a REDDI report by calling 911 when witnessing others driving dangerously.
Reach reporter Brian Mazurek at bmazurek@peninsulaclarion.com.
