MONTGOMERY, Ala. – As you gear up to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday with friends and family, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) are joining forces to ensure a safe holiday weekend.
With an emphasis on responsible driving, both agencies are implementing measures to protect motorists on the roadways and waterways throughout Alabama.
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor has urged citizens to drink responsibly and refrain from operating vehicles or vessels while impaired.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that over the past five years, 1,460 drivers have lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes during the Fourth of July holiday period.
A staggering 38 percent of these drivers were impaired by alcohol. ALEA Troopers will have a zero-tolerance policy for impaired drivers, ensuring their arrest and removal from the roads.
To further enhance safety, ALDOT has announced that there will be no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates from Friday, June 30, at 12:00 p.m. until Tuesday, July 4, at 12:00 a.m. This decision was made to reduce congestion and facilitate smoother traffic flow during the holiday weekend.
ALDOT has also shared essential safety tips for motorists. These include buckling up, eliminating distractions, avoiding impaired driving, and adhering to speed limits.
By following these guidelines, drivers can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure a safer journey for everyone on the road.
Motorists planning their travel routes can utilize the highway travel planning tool provided by ALDOT. This tool offers real-time traffic and road condition information, including live traffic camera feeds, accessible through the ALGO Traffic website or the ALGO Traffic app.
As Alabama residents and visitors prepare for Independence Day festivities, ALEA and ALDOT urge everyone to prioritize safety by driving responsibly, adhering to traffic laws, and staying alert.
