Even though the national “Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest” campaign for 2011 came to a close after Labor Day, motorists in Alabama are advised to continue safe driving habits. The state’s nine regional highway safety offices and the Alabama Department of Public Safety will continue increased enforcement year-round thanks to $1.9 million in grants awarded by Gov. Robert Bentley.

Of that $1.9 million, Covington County will share in $118,331 awarded to the Southeast Alabama Regional Highway Safety Office at Enterprise State Community College. The office serves Barbour, Butler, Coffee, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike, as well as Covington, counties

The funding will help cover overtime expenses for officers, deputies and troopers as they conduct checkpoints and employ other enforcement tactics. Each highway safety office determines when additional enforcement is needed for specific areas.

Additionally, $110,000 of the funding will help continue the expansion of the Yellow Dot program. The free program, currently available in 28 counties including Covington, helps participants receive more effective medical care in the event of a vehicle crash; a “Yellow Dot” decal on the rear window alerts first responders to medical information located in the glove compartment.