ALDOT: Buckle up, slow down during Thanksgiving

STATE OF ALABAMA – Alabama Department of Transportation urges motorists to follow three guidelines during the Thanksgiving holiday: buckle up, slow down and drive alertly.

To ease Thanksgiving traffic congestion statewide, ALDOT has announced no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates from noon on Nov. 22 through midnight on Nov. 26. This procedure will enhance safety on the roadways.

“Motorists can do their part for roadway safety during the Thanksgiving holiday by wearing a seat belt and making sure all passengers in their vehicle do the same,” Allison Green said. Green works as Drive Safe Alabama Coordinator with ALDOT.

“It only takes a few seconds to buckle a seat belt. And those few seconds could be the difference between life and death if you are involved in a crash,” Green said.

ALDOT officials remind drivers of the top three highway safety tips for the holidays:

* Always wear a seat belt. — Including passengers in front and rear seats. Survival odds greatly favor individuals wearing a seat belt. According to ALDOT, the latest data shows that about 60 percent of Alabamians who die in vehicle crashes did not buckle their seat belts. In comparison, about 98 percent of people unharmed in vehicle crashes were wearing their seat belts.

* Slow down. — Speeding is the leading cause of fatal crashes in Alabama.

* Drive alert. — Especially when traveling through highway work zones. Even when workers aren’t present, lanes in a work zone can shift or grooves in the road can alter the way a vehicle handles. Paying attention is important when conditions change and while maintaining a safe distance around other vehicles.

Throughout the year, ALDOT limits road construction during major holiday weekends. However, officials may need to close lanes for specific circumstances on interstates and other state roadways.

Motorists can access real-time roadwork, traffic and weather conditions at algotraffic.com.

In addition, individuals can download the ALGO Traffic app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. ALDOT asks motorists to use ALGO Traffic responsibly. Drivers should never text, tweet or use a mobile device while driving a vehicle.

For more tips, visit dot.state.al.us or Facebook/Drive Safe Alabama.