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Recently, we here at SCR have had the unfortunate responsibility of covering multiple traffic incidents on both Highway 280 and Interstate 65—two of the busiest and most dangerous highways in the county.

The Alabama Department of Transportation has crash statistics from 2015 to 2022 archived on their website. According to ALDOT, in 2022 there was a traffic crash reported in Alabama every three minutes and 38 seconds. In 2022, 986 people lost their lives in traffic accidents, meaning a person was killed in a car wreck around every eight hours and 53 minutes in Alabama.

With accidents in Shelby County seemingly on the rise, we here at SCR wanted to emphasize the importance of driver safety.

Regardless of road conditions, weather, or other exterior factors, drivers should always wear a seat belt.

According to the National Safety Council, nearly 375,000 lives were saved from 1975-2017 by proper seat belt use. Something as simple as remembering to wear your seat belt can mean the difference between life and death.

We also want to emphasize planning for winter weather and accommodating travel plans to stay safe. If the roads in Shelby County are hazardous, it is encouraged not to drive unless absolutely necessary.

Furthermore, following the posted speed limits on roads like Highway 280 and I-65 can ensure that we continue to keep Shelby County safe from reckless driving.

Finally, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol puts you and other drivers on the road at risk. Whenever you visit one of Shelby County’s local bars or have a fun night out with friends, it is encouraged to find a designated driver or rideshare service to minimize risk.

While all of these facts are common sense, the uptick in severe accidents that SCR has reported on in the past few weeks show that the importance of driver safety cannot be understated. We appreciate the roads we drive into our office on every day, whether through the scenery they provide or the ease of traffic flow they allow.

We encourage you to join us in doing your part to keep the roads of Shelby County safe from dangerous and reckless driving. It may seem like minimal action, but the littlest difference, from having both hands on the wheel to wearing your seat belt, can save a life.