Alabama State Troopers to show force on highway during holiday

MOBILE, Al.
Alabama State Troopers will be out in force on the state's highways during the Thanksgiving holiday period, starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday and continuing until midnight Sunday, officials said today in a news release.

Twelve individuals died on Alabama’s roadways last Thanksgiving weekend, and Alabama State Troopers estimate that alcohol was a factor in more than half of those fatalities, officials said.
During this 102-hour initiative, holiday travelers will see all available troopers on patrol and prepared to assist motorists.
“We expect traffic to be heavier than usual during this year’s extended holiday period, and we will aggressively enforce traffic laws. Troopers will target such dangerous behavior as driving under the influence, speeding, distracted driving and following too closely. Not only can these driving behaviors cause crashes, but they can contribute to more severe crashes,” said Col. Hugh B. McCall, director of Public Safety.
According to Public Safety statistics from 2010, alcohol was a factor in seven of the 12 fatalities, and 10 out of the 12 individuals killed were not wearing seat belts.
The University of Alabama Center for Advanced Public Safety conducted a recent study comparing Thanksgiving week traffic during the past 10 years that found that several factors could impact driver safety.
The study found that interstate crashes are up roughly 25 percent during the last three Thanksgiving years.
During Thanksgiving week, the increased travel and the mix of holiday and commuter roadway users are the primary causes of crashes. The holiday/commuter mix problem is further complicated because of an increase in the number of out-of-state drivers (about 34 percent higher than expected from neighboring states) and an increase in those who are more than 25 miles from home (22 percent higher than expected), according to the study.
The primary cause of fatalities is due to the increased use of alcohol during the holidays. The study says there has been a "shocking" increase in several alcohol indicators during Thanksgiving week over the past three years. Reported alcohol/drug DUI crashes are more than 25 percent higher during Thanksgiving week than a typical week the rest of the year.
Motorists can help to ensure they arrive safely to their destinations by obeying all traffic laws, observing speed limits, buckling up and avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, McCall said.
“Our goal is to make a positive difference on our state’s highways. It’s about saving lives and preventing crashes,” he said.