That’s how many tickets were issued during Alabama’s Take Back Our Highways II “enforcement blitz,” most of them for speeding. Meanwhile 21 people were killed in traffic accidents. But, the blitz was all about safety, according to the state trooper spokesman: “During holiday travel and throughout the year, we ask motorists to join with law enforcement in support of traffic safety, realizing the importance of driving safely and obeying all traffic laws. Your life and the lives of your loved ones depend on it,” Murphy said.

Stephen Gordon colorfully describes the enforcement blitz here. My opposition to the first TBOH campaign in August pretty much sums up my feelings on this on as well.

Two additions to that entry though, both from the National Motorists Association. The first is a list of tips on how to improve highway safety during holiday heavy travel periods.

I couldn’t find the second on their website, but it is featured in the latest issue of Driving Freedoms, NMA’s invaluable monthly publication. It’s kind of a challenge to the current ticket, ticket, ticket “for safety” mindset. If safety is really the primary motivation, then get rid of fines altogether (not to mention court costs, which often run more than the fines). Make a severe points system that involves no cash changing hands, but a system of points, where your diver’s license can be suspended after, let’s say, three moving violations. In other words, if it’s really about safety, prove it. Take money out of the equation and let’s see if the number of tickets issued stays the same or drops dramatically as municipalities and police departments either focus on serious crime or seek another cash cow (can anyone say drug war?). It’s doubtful that any of the beneficiary towns or state legislatures are likely to adopt such a points-only scheme, but one can always hope…

Of course, in the final analysis, I don’t think that driver’s need to be licensed by the state at all, but rather driver training could be run by insurance companies.