FAIRHOPE, Ala.—Alabama State Troopers are increasing their numbers on area roads this holiday weekend, hoping to reduce the number of accidents. Along with local law enforcement agencies countywide, state police are keeping an eye out for impaired drivers in order to ensure motorists arrive alive during this last gasp of the summer travel season.

Department of Public Safety Director Col. J. Christopher Murphy said all available troopers will be on duty through Monday and continue an intensive, nationwide impaired driving crackdown called “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest,” that began Aug. 21.

Murphy explained that “Task Force Zero” — trooper teams that target impaired drivers — will use the department’s BAT Mobiles at selected multi-agency checkpoints. The BAT Mobiles — vehicles equipped with specialized breath-testing equipment — enable on-scene processing of impaired drivers.

DPS purchased the vehicles with grants awarded by Gov. Bob Riley and administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Equipment for the vehicles was provided by the Department of Forensic Sciences.

“Troopers have zero tolerance for impaired drivers,” said Murphy. “At checkpoints and on patrol, we will search out those who commit the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and place them under arrest.”

Troopers also plan to target violations that contribute to traffic crashes, including speeding, following too closely, improper passing and failure to signal.

Overtime funding for the crackdown is being provided by the Alabama Department of Transportation and ADECA.

Murphy pointed out that troopers will be patrolling on motorcycles and in semi-marked vehicles, as well as their traditional blue and gray, fully marked cruisers. All troopers will be in the clearly identifiable Alabama state trooper uniforms, he added.

And a law to help prevent State Troopers and other law enforcement officers from being killed while on the job was expanded just in time for the Labor Day weekend.

The state’s “move-over” law, which provides an added measure of safety for Alabama emergency responders stopped or parked roadside with emergency signals activated has been updated to include wreckers to emergency response vehicles for which motorists must move over one lane before reaching them.

When moving over is unsafe or not possible, such as on two-lane roadways, the law requires motorists to slow at least 15 mph below the posted speed limit. Motorists must slow down to 10 mph when the posted limit is 20 mph or less.

“The roadside is a trooper’s office,” Murphy said. “To do our jobs, we must work in close proximity to traffic. This law provides all first responders and emergency workers the safe clearance they need.

A six-month warning and educational period for the new law began Aug. 1. Once the warning period concludes, citations for violation of the “move-over” law will carry a fine of up to $25 for first offense and increasing fines for second and subsequent offenses.

Murphy said DPS is working to promote public awareness of the law and its requirements. ALDOT is placing posters in state rest areas and welcome centers, and DPS is posting information in all state driver’s license offices.

State trooper public information/safety education officers are also helping educate Alabamians about the new law during public appearances and safety talks.

Information about the law is available at http://dps.alabama.gov.

Alabama first enacted “move-over” regulations three years ago, most states have adopted versions of the law.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Fund, 154 officers nationwide have been killed as the result of being struck while working roadside during the last 10 years.

Patrols this weekend will concentrate on heavily traveled roadways, such as Interstate 10 and I-65 and popular beach and vacation routes, including Alabama Highway 59.

The stepped-up effort is being conducted in conjunction with Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). With cooperation by state police nationwide, Operation C.A.R.E. seeks to promote traffic safety during holiday periods through enforcement and safety awareness.

The official 78-hour Labor Day travel period began at 6 p.m. Friday, and ends at midnight on Monday.

Last year eight people — six vehicle occupants and two pedestrians — died in traffic crashes in Alabama during the 78-hour travel period. At least two of the crash victims died as the result of alcohol-related crashes, and four of the six vehicle occupants were not using safety restraints, such as seat belts and child-safety seats.