MONTGOMERY, Ala. – With the highest year-end travel volume on record expected and those road trips taking as much as three times longer than normal, the Alabama Department of Transportation is reminding travelers to have patience and drive responsibly this holiday season.
To ease holiday traffic congestion statewide and as an added safety precaution, the Alabama Department of Transportation is announcing there will be no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates from noon, Friday, Dec. 22, through midnight, Monday, Dec. 25, and after noon, Friday, Dec. 29, through midnight Monday, Jan. 1.
“During the 2016 Christmas and New Year holidays, fatalities on Alabama roads were up 44 percent over the previous year,” said Allison Green, Drive Safe Alabama Coordinator with ALDOT.
“Reversing that trend in 2017 is in the hand of drivers, as they make safety a priority while out enjoying their holiday celebrations.”
Top 3 Holiday Highway Safety Tips
- Drive sober. In December 2016, there were 781 people in the United States that lost their lives in drunk-driving crashes.
- Always wear a seat belt, including passengers in front and rear seats. The odds greatly favor those wearing a seat belt. The latest data shows that about 60 percent of Alabamians who die in vehicle crashes are not buckled up. In comparison, about 98 percent of people involved in vehicle crashes that are unharmed were reported to have been wearing their seat belts.
- Put away cell phones and other distractions. Drivers are 23 times more likely to be in a crash if they are texting and driving.
Last year during this same travel period, Alabama State Troopers investigated 31 traffic fatalities on Alabama roads. That number was up from 2015 which saw 26 Trooper investigated traffic fatalities. Thanksgiving travel for 2017 saw six Trooper investigated crashes. That number was down from 2016 Thanksgiving travel which saw 16 Trooper investigated crashes.
For more safe driving tips visit the Drive Safe Alabama Facebook page.
For further information, visit www.dot.state.al.us. Motorists can access real-time, road work, traffic and weather conditions through www.algotraffic.com or by downloading the ALGO Traffic app in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. ALDOT asks motorist to use ALGO Traffic responsibly.
