By J.R. Tidwell / Editor

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Department of Transportation said it will limit road construction and lane closures during the holiday season, according to a release from the organization.

“Drivers planning to be on Alabama roads during the Christmas and New Year holidays should expect increased traffic and allow extra time to reach their destination,” said ALDOT in the release.

There will be no temporary lane closures on interstates in Alabama from noon on Dec. 21 through midnight on Dec. 25 and from noon on Dec. 28 through midnight on Jan. 1.

“To keep traffic flowing, it’s important that drivers do their part and plan to celebrate safely,” said Allison Green, Drive Safe Alabama coordinator with the Alabama Department of Transportation. “Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can wreck your holiday and have serious consequences that continue long past the new year.”

According to the release, “Drive Safe Alabama is ALDOT’s traffic safety marketing campaign. The goal of Drive Safe Alabama is to strengthen Alabama’s highway safety culture. By providing safe driving information through online resources and educational opportunities, ALDOT aims to reduce crash-related injuries and fatalities on Alabama’s roadways.”

ALDOT encourages drivers to always designate a sober driver and wear a seat belt no matter how short the distance of travel.

“People are almost seven times more likely to die in a crash when the driver who causes the crash is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as shown in the Alabama 2017 Crash Facts publication,” Green said.

“Surviving a crash is more likely when wearing a seat belt. The latest statistics from Drive Safe Alabama show that almost 60 percent of people killed on Alabama highways were not wearing seat belts.”

Motorists can “access real-time, road work, traffic and weather conditions” by visiting algotraffic.com or by downloading the ALGO Traffic app. The organization reminds travelers to use these services responsibly.

“Drivers should never text, tweet or use a mobile device while driving a vehicle,” according to the release.