Going to be traveling for the holiday season? Not sure what route to take or what the roads will look like? Just wanting to see if it’s worth going out in the traffic to pick up last minute gifts?
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), along with partner Drive Safe Alabama, has shared this list of helpful resources and advice for any holiday traveling you need to do.
Plan for traffic
AAA estimates 100 million people will be on the roads for the holidays this year. That would be a 28% increase from last year’s travel, nearing “record volumes” after the decrease in travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because of this, ALDOT recommends that Alabama drivers “plan ahead, allow extra time to reach your destination, and drive alert without distractions.”
Motorists can use the ALGO Traffic app on their phone to see traffic and road conditions in Alabama at any time.
Expect fewer lane closures
ALDOT announced that they also plan to limit road work and lane closures during the holiday travel season for the safety of workers involved.
The agency will also halt temporary lane closures from Dec. 24 at 6 a.m. to Dec. 26 at 11:59 p.m., and again from Dec. 31 at 6 a.m. to Jan. 2 at 11:59 p.m.
Seat belts and sobriety
ALDOT also emphasized general driving tips. The biggest piece of advice: Make sure you wear a seat belt while in a vehicle.
“Give the gift of safe driving to your passengers and others on the road this holiday season,” said Allison Green, Drive Safe Alabama coordinator with ALDOT. “Safe driving begins with making sure everyone in your vehicle wears a seat belt.”
In 2020, 60% of those killed in car accidents were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, she said. Staying strapped in is the “easiest and most effective way to reduce injuries and save lives during a crash,” according to ALDOT.
And one more reminder from ALDOT: Stay sober if you’re going to be behind the wheel. “Alcohol impairs thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination,” the agency reports.
To learn more about the ALDOT and its mission to keep drivers safe, visit the agency website at www.dot.state.al.us.
