ALDOT to limit Labor Day road closures

Published 6:30 am Friday, September 1, 2017

The Alabama Department of Transportation on Thursday announced it would not conduct temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates through the Labor Day travel period.

The period runs from noon Friday, Sept. 1, through midnight, Monday, Sept. 4.

With an increase in the number of vehicles on Alabama’s interstates during the holiday, combined with the wet roads from the rain expected, ALDOT is asking drivers to be especially cautious.

“When road conditions are unfavorable, it is not safe to drive the maximum posted speed limit,” said Allison Green, Drive Safe Alabama coordinator. “Drivers can better maintain control of their vehicle when driving only as fast as conditions allow.”

Driving tips

• Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs: People are seven times more likely to die in a crash when the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as shown in ALDOT crash reports. Designating a sober driver before drinking is key to preventing these deadly crashes; and

• Wear your seat belt, in both front and rear seats: 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.

More safe driving tips are available on the Drive Safe Alabama Facebook page.

Motorists planning their holiday travel route can find Alabama traffic and road condition information at www.ALGOtraffic.com or by downloading the ALGO Traffic app available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. ALDOT asks motorists to use ALGO Traffic responsibly.

Drivers should never text, tweet or use a mobile device while operating a vehicle.