DUI’s Up In Montgomery, Authorities Push For Safe Holiday Travel

AAA expects this to be the busiest year ever for Fourth of July travel.

That means millions more on the road.

Law enforcement wants to make sure none of those people choose to drink and drive.

“Very serious about folks not driving while they are intoxicated, not drinking and driving. If you’re planning on drinking, having fun, get a designated driver because I can guarantee you that if you injure or kill someone in Montgomery and you’re under the influence, you’re going to prison,” said Montgomery District Attorney Daryl Bailey.

Bailey was joined by state and local authorities to drive that point home.

He also brought Carolyn Tyus, a woman who’s son died in 2008 because of a drunk driver.

“Every day I go through it. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss my son, not one day. His birthday was Wednesday, he would have been 30 years old. Now having to deal with this, and the community we have to go through this, continuously deal with drinking and driving,” said Tyus.

Montgomery has been dealing with DUI’s more than usual this year. Bailey says between the months of January and June, the city has seen a 51% increase in DUI’s.

The state has also seen a 60% increase in traffic fatalities.

Bailey says its because troopers have seen their budget drastically cut over the years.

“As a matter of fact that is a direct result due to their lack of funding. Because folks need to understand how important it is for us to have a proper amount of law enforcement out their patrolling our streets. that’s one of the reasons we’re seeing an increase because law enforcement is not there,” said Bailey.