Public Safety officers to be active during Thanksgiving holiday

MONTGOMERY — Anticipating heavier-than-usual traffic during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, Alabama State Troopers urge motorists to obey all traffic laws, drive defensively and be patient.

“This is an exciting time of year, and we ask you, the motoring public, to partner with us to ensure everyone makes it safely to his or her holiday destination,” said Col. Hugh B. McCall, director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety and the state’s highest-ranking trooper.

Alabama’s Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier agreed with McCall, saying, “State and local law enforcement agencies will join troopers to promote traffic safety this extended holiday weekend.”

Between 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, and midnight Sunday, Dec. 1, troopers and other state and local law enforcement officers will be highly visible, working additional shifts to patrol Alabama’s roadways and to assist motorists. McCall said, “Our goal during this 102-hour safety campaign is simple: to prevent traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities. He credited the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Alabama Department of Transportation with providing grant funding for troopers during such campaigns.

Troopers will aggressively enforce traffic laws and target such dangerous behaviors as driving under the influence, speeding, distracted driving and following too closely — behaviors that can contribute to more severe crashes.

According to Public Safety statistics from Thanksgiving weekend 2012, seven individuals were killed on Alabama roadways during that holiday travel period. Troopers say five of the individuals were in vehicles equipped with seat belts, but only two were using them; and alcohol was a factor in at least two of the seven deadly crashes. To that end, McCall urges motorists to avoid driving under the influence and to insist everyone in the vehicle buckles up no matter how short the drive in addition to avoiding such distractions as texting.

“With help from you, we will make a positive difference on our state’s roadways – not just during Thanksgiving, but throughout the year,” McCall said. “May we count on you?”