Alabama State Troopers reported numerous fatalities throughout the state over the July 4th holiday period, suggesting that some might have been avoided had the victims been wearing seat belts.

Over the long holiday weekend extending from 6 p.m. Friday, June 30 to midnight Tuesday, July 4, troopers said eight people died in traffic accidents on Alabama highways.

“The eight fatal traffic crashes consisted of a pedestrian killed in Madison County, a 12-year-old passenger killed in St. Clair County, and six drivers killed in Baldwin, Cherokee, Escambia, Marshall, St. Clair and Talladega counties,” wrote Corporal Jess Thornton, public information officer for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), in a release issued Wednesday.

“Seat belts were available but not in use in seven of the eight deadly traffic crashes,” the release admonished.

None of the fatalities occurred in Cullman County.

At the current pace, 2017 is on track to see an increase in Alabama highway fatalities compared with last year. The eight holiday-period fatalities “bring this year’s Trooper-investigated traffic crash total to 328 as of July 4, which is eight more than during the same time period in 2016,” ALEA observed.

In many cases, the deaths have been associated with a lack of compliance with Alabama’s seat belt law.

“This year, vehicles were equipped with seat belts for 272 of the individuals killed, but only 95 were using seat belts at the time of the crashes,” ALEA reported. “In fact, more than two-thirds of those killed so far in 2017 were not using seat belts. Among the 328 fatalities [so far this year] were seven children ages 5 and younger, and at least two of the children were not restrained.”

The holiday-period fatality total provided by troopers does not yet reflect traffic deaths investigated by municipal law enforcement agencies

“Statewide totals will be available later, as local law enforcement agencies submit their traffic crash statistics,” ALEA said.

 Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.