The Department of Public Safety announced Monday that there will be an increase in the number of highway troopers starting this week and continuing through Labor Day.
Troopers will be mainly focused on DUI enforcement, but will also watch for aggressive and distracted driving, as well as speeding and seatbelt violations, the release said.
The announcement comes after multiple vehicle accidents on the central peninsula have recorded both injuries and fatalities.
A Kenai Spur collision on July 17 killed two men from Kenai and one from Florida, and another rollover crash in Soldotna on the same day left an Idaho man dead.
On July 25 a California woman was pronounced dead after she crossed the centerline on the Sterling Highway and crashed into two cars. Two days later a semitruck and a pickup wrecked head-on, and the three involved were transported to an area hospital.
A Nikiski motorcyclist died after colliding into an SUV on the Kenai Spur Highway on Aug. 4, according to a trooper dispatch.
The effort to monitor Alaska highways with more troopers through Labor Day is part of the national anti-DUI campaign slated for Aug. 18 through Sept. 7.
The campaign includes reminders that “buzzed driving is drunk driving, drive sober or get pulled over, ride sober or get pulled over,” and “if you feel different you drive different,” according to the release.
Troopers encourage folks to report any dangerous drivers by calling 911.
Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.
