MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA — Alabama has seen a 24 percent reduction in commercial vehicle crash fatalities so far in 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which has been running a joint commercial vehicle enforcement program with ICE since October 2025.
The Numbers
Since October 27, 2025, ALEA’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit has assisted ICE with the detention of 561 individuals for immigration violations encountered during commercial vehicle enforcement activities. Since January 1, 2025, MCSU troopers have issued 1,022 English Language Proficiency violations to commercial drivers. Alabama recorded 106 commercial vehicle fatalities in 2025 — the lowest annual total since 2021. The 24 percent reduction in 2026 represents a continued downward trend.
ALEA said it has strategically deployed enforcement resources to high-crash corridors across the state and has observed reductions in commercial vehicle crashes in those areas.
New Law Taking Effect October 1
Alabama’s Highway Safety and Fairness Act takes effect October 1, 2026. The law requires foreign CDL holders operating in Alabama to possess valid U.S. work authorization, requires all CDL holders to demonstrate English language proficiency, and makes presenting a fraudulent foreign CDL during an enforcement encounter a criminal offense. Alabama does not issue non-domiciled CDLs and only issues commercial driver’s licenses to lawful permanent residents.
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