CULLMAN, Ala. (WHNT) — The Cullman County Sheriff's Office and other agencies held a news conference Monday regarding the influx of traffic accidents in the area and how to prevent them.
On Monday, Dec. 9., Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, District Attorney Champ Crocker, Cullman Police Chief Joey Duncan and representatives from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency held a news conference in the DA's Conference Room.
The reason for this conference is for the agencies to discuss the influx of traffic accidents and traffic-related deaths in Cullman County recently.
In the news conference, Crocker spoke first about during the holiday season, the agencies wanted to caution drivers about drinking while driving, texting while driving and speeding.
"One deadly crash is too many," Crocker said. He wanted to emphasize that the agencies held this conference for the sole reason of warning against these specific types of distracted/impaired driving.
Sheriff Gentry spoke next about how he was proud of the way the county does things as a "group effort" to make the community safer.
He emphasized how, with the sheriff's rodeo this next weekend, there will be an influx of people in the county and on the road. He repeated that he wants drivers to pay attention to the roadways and pay attention to those around them.
"I will tell you this: If you're going to go out and drink and drive, if you're going to go out and do drugs and drive, we are going to put you in jail. We keep plenty of room at the jail for those who are going to do harm to our community," Gentry said.
Duncan spoke next about having a designated driver if you do plan to drive while out and about. He said the biggest issue the agencies are seeing lead to accidents is following too close behind another car, which is a sign of distracted driving.
He also spoke on the importance of pedestrian safety. He asked that if you cross the highway, just be safe and be mindful of your surroundings.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey spoke next about the importance of wearing a seatbelt. He said the agency has noticed that a lot of fatal crashes happen because people are not wearing their seatbelts.
"Please wear your seatbelts," Bailey said.
About speeding, Bailey said that the speed limits are not a suggestion. "If the speed limit is 45, please go 45," he said.
On Dec. 21, ALEA will start the 12 days of safety where every day, the agency will display the things they can do to prevent crashes.
