TPD: 70 Motorists Ticketed Over Two-Day Traffic Enforcement Detail

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa Police Department issued citations to 70 drivers over a two-day period as part of a joint operation with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency aimed at reducing dangerous driving in Tuscaloosa.

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TPD said in a press release on Monday that officers issued a total of 86 citations during the detail on Sept. 2 and Sept. 3.

Tuscaloosa Police Captain Billy Hallman, who commands the department's Traffic Division, said the overall goal is to reduce the number of accidents and increase the safety of drivers, especially during football game weekends

“We hope this will promote safe driving habits, and ultimately prevent wrecks with serious injuries or fatalities," he said.

The first day of the operation, TPD and ALEA conducted a high-visibility patrol of I-359 northbound between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. As part of this specific detail, 60 drivers were written 74 citations.

The following day, the detail focused on I-359 and downtown Tuscaloosa during the hours between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. — immediately following the Alabama football game against Utah State. TPD said a total of 10 drivers were written 12 tickets.

TPD went on to say that drivers were ticketed for racing and exhibition of speed in the area of I-359 and Skyland Boulevard, with both vehicles impounded.

In another instance on Saturday, an Alabama State Trooper attempted to stop a Ford Mustang for going 131 mph on I-359 southbound. This prompted a brief pursuit that went south on Alabama Highway 69 South and onto Old Greensboro Road and Canterbury Drive.

The suspect ultimately crashed into an embankment as they tried to navigate a traffic circle and turn onto Wakefield Drive. The suspect fled the scene and the vehicle was towed.

TPD said its Traffic Division and ALEA will conduct additional joint traffic enforcement details over the next several months

Here's a look at the tickets issued over the detail period.

Friday, Sept. 2

• Speeding: 62
• Racing: 1
• Insurance violation: 6
• Other driver’s license violations: 3
• Driving while revoked: 1
• Other violations: 1

Total traffic stops: 60

Total enforcement activity: 74

Saturday, Sept. 3

• Running red light: 2
• Racing: 1
• Speeding: 4
• Exhibition of speed: 1
• Insurance violation: 4
• Other violations: 1

Total traffic stops: 10

Total enforcement activity: 12

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