The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will assign additional state troopers to roads as more motorists are expected to travel through the days leading up to Christmas to the first of the new year.

“Less than a month ago, we announced troopers investigated 14 traffic deaths during the five-day Thanksgiving travel period. Yes, 14 deaths — including one 12-year-old,” Secretary of Law Enforcement Stan Stabler said. “During the two-week holiday traveling period for last year’s Christmas and New Year’s, Troopers investigated 26 traffic deaths.”

Obey traffic laws, require everyone in the vehicle to buckle up and/or use child-restraint systems, avoid driving while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, avoid texting and other distractions while driving, and avoid following too closely.

Troopers will heighten patrols and enforcement for a 17-day period, from 12:01 a.m. Friday to midnight Sunday, Jan. 1. Grant funding from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Alabama Department of Transportation will enable ALEA to bolster traffic safety efforts and provide additional patrol shifts during the holiday travel period.

Still, the motoring public’s assistance will be of great value, he said, particularly when it comes to avoiding driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. During the Christmas-New Year’s travel period that began in December 2015, Troopers arrested 475 individuals for DUI, and they are as dedicated this year to curbing impaired driving and working to make the state’s roadways safer.

“Please help us spread our holiday traffic safety message,” Stabler said. “Doing your part could save a life – and that life could be yours or a loved one’s.”