Alabama Ramps Up Safety Efforts For Busy Holiday Roads

Christmas is expected to add to the string of record-breaking travel numbers that have been posted every holiday since the pandemic. More than 12 ½ million Americans are expected to fly with another109 million hitting the roads. AAA expects almost 9 million of them will be on roads in Alabama and surrounding states.

Lower gas prices and warm weather are expected to contribute to crowded roads and airport terminals. But Alabama officials are attempting to do all they can to make the two-week holiday travel periods safer.

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It may not be totally smooth sailing, but the Alabama Department of Transportation is doing its part to help motorists navigate Alabama highways. There will be no lane closures across the state between noon tomorrow and midnight Friday and again next week from noon Tuesday until midnight January 2nd.

“In 2024, eight people died in crashes during the Christmas holiday while eight more died during the New Year holiday,” Drive Safe Alabama coordinator Dalton Middleton stated in a media release. “By suspending lane closures, we are committed to making safety a top priority and hope to make everyone’s journey safer.”

On the law enforcement side, The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has launched its annual "12 Days of Safety" campaign for the 2025 Christmas and New Year's holiday travel season. The campaign, which began yesterday and runs through January 1, aims to reduce traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities through education and increased enforcement. 

All available ALEA Troopers are maintaining a strong, high-visibility presence on roadways statewide from today through January 2. They are specifically looking for high-risk behaviours:

• Impaired driving (DUI).
• Speeding/aggressive driving.
• Distracted driving.
• Seat belt violations.

Trooper safety tips are the same as always but are always valuable:

• Have a designated driver if you are consuming alcohol,
• Obey all traffic laws. Remember, speeding is the number one killer on roadways,
• Buckle Up, approximately 60% of people killed in Alabama car accidents in both 2023 and 2024 were not wearing a seat belt,
• Stay alert, do not drive when sleepy. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.

“This time of year, should be about making memories, not responding to tragedies that could have been prevented,” ALEA Secretary of Law Enforcement Hal Taylor noted as ALEA pushes for no highway fatalities this holiday season.

Have a safe 2025 Christmas and New Year's Eve Holidays so you will be around to celebrate New Year's Day 2026.