Alabama troopers issue e-citations

January 02, 2005

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Fifty state trooper cars equipped with laptops, scanners and printers allows Alabama state troopers to get on the information highway by issuing e-citations, electronic traffic tickets. With only one state trooper for every 300 miles of highway in Alabama, the new system will mean more time spent on the highway by allowing troopers to send their tickets to the county courthouse electronically, rather than delivering them in person.

Alabama has spent $800,000 worth state and federal funds on the program. By 2006 the system could be installed in all 325 patrol cars. Once e-citations are in use state-wide, state troopers could also file accident investigation reports electronically and access criminal records from their laptops.

Broadband is critical for applications such as these.  This may be the first of many systems which will allow public safety domains across the country to link to a broadband wireless network that lets them view streaming video of felonies and identify criminals more quickly.  Municipalities will continue to invest in broadband technologies such as WiMAX as an ideal last-mile technology to enhance the efficiency of city and local organizations including public safety.