CSNbbs

Reported by Hannah Lane of WSFA --
In 2010 the number of Alabama State Troopers was 366. In 2015 the number was 272. Now 259. The number today would probably be even fewer were it not for federal grants which pay for a substantial fraction of those still on the road. NOTE: In 2010 Alabama's number was 100+ less than other southern states today.
Other southern states:
Florida-1,174
Louisiana-589
South Carolina-550
Kentucky-541
Georgia-509
Tennessee-467
Mississippi-130 (note-MS State Police only patrol or answer calls on state and federal highways, NOT on county roads like in Alabama)

According to senior Trooper Lee Walls (9 year veteran), the number of speeders topping 100 mph - up to 120 mph - is increasing as numbers of troopers on the road drop. It also means a one to two hour wait may be common for Trooper assistance even if there are no other calls

Another year, another annual session in Montgomery and once again they say the state can't afford more State Troopers or to raise their pay. A couple years ago it was written that Alabama deaths on its rural highways was twice the national average. Maybe we are shooting for THREE times this year. We have already seen several local youngsters killed this year on our roads. How many will it take to get the politician's attention?

If there are only 240 Troopers working 8 hour shifts with no "off" days, that means there are only 80 to cover the whole state at any one time. After all, condolence letters are so much cheaper than Troopers.