ALDOT: ‘No lane closures during holiday travel period’
As an added precaution, and to reduce congestion, during the heavily traveled Fourth of July holiday, the Alabama Department of Transportation says it will have no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates from noon Wednesday, July 3, through midnight, Sunday, July 7.
Although ALDOT construction work zones will not be active during the holiday, work zone materials along the road and reduced speed limits will be in effect in many areas. Drivers taking to Alabama roads for the Fourth of July holiday should allow extra time to reach their destination.
“Drivers should prepare to safely navigate the busy roads during the Independence Day holiday, as travelers drive to and from Alabama beaches, lakes and other popular summer destinations,” said Allison Green, Drive Safe Alabama coordinator, ALDOT. “Drive sober, alert and buckled up.”
State officials also remind travelers that the Alabama Legislature recently passed a law requiring all occupants of a vehicle to wear a seat belt. Law enforcement officers will pay close attention to seat belt use during traffic stops.
ALDOT offers these holiday travel tips:
- Buckle up. Surviving a crash is much more likely when wearing a seat belt. Latest stats from Drive Safe Alabama show that almost 60 percent of people dying in crashes on Alabama highways are not wearing a seat belt.
- Designate a sober driver. You are more likely to die in a crash where an impaired driver is involved. In 2017, 198 people died in Alabama in 90 crashes with suspected alcohol or drug impairment.
- Slow down. Speeding is the leading contributing factor in fatal crashes on Alabama roads.
