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
Col. Hugh B. McCall
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?”
