By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – One state trooper standing by the side of the road plus one small black box pressed to his shoulder could equal a speeding ticket for Alabama drivers. The state Department of Public Safety has acquired 13 laser speed detection devices that are about the size of a video camera. They'll be in use statewide during the long Fourth of July weekend. Sergeant Guy Rush says that unlike traditional radar, the laser device pinpoints a specific vehicle. It can also measure the distance between two vehicles to see if a motorist is following too closely. Drivers will see more than the new laser devices in use during the long weekend. Major Patrick Manning says more troopers than normal will be on the highways. That's because no troopers are being allowed to take vacation during the holiday weekend, and grants are being used to pay troopers to work extra hours.