By Associated Press
Birmingham, AL – Gov. Bob Riley is crediting state efforts for driving down the number of highway deaths in Alabama.
Officials are anticipating a 35 percent decrease since 2006 in the number of state trooper-investigated highway deaths in the state.
Riley says the decline represents about 300 people.
Beginning in 2006, several state agencies have focused on areas where there were a large number of fatal crashes. The result was a campaign that included a series of safety blitzes and road improvements.
As of Wednesday, Alabama troopers had investigated 518 highway fatalities this year. Riley says that's down from about 800 in 2006.