Fatal Accidents in Alabama on the Increase

   Fatalities have increased at an alarming rate on Alabama’s highways so far this year. Officials with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency believe the reduced presence of state troopers on the roadways could be a major factor. Public Information Officer Sgt. Steve Jarrett says troopers have investigated 456 traffic deaths as of this week in the state…compared to 349 fatalities to this point in 2015.  Keep in mind, state troopers only investigate fatal wrecks that occur on rural roads and interstates, not those within city limits. Sgt. Jarrett believes there is a correlation between the low trooper numbers and the increased traffic deaths. According to ALEA 258 troopers are currently patrolling the state of Alabama. A University of Alabama study determined that a state of this size needs around 11-hundred troopers on the highways.