Highway travel during the 2010 Thanksgiving holiday week is expected to be heavy in Alabama as families head for holiday destinations. The Alabama Department of Transportation urges motorists to drive safely in their travels.

As an added precaution during the heavily travelled holiday, Transportation Director Joe McInnes announced today there would be no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates after noon on Wednesday, Nov. 24, through midnight on Sunday, Nov. 28. Emergency lane closures may be possible dependant on specific circumstances on interstates and other state roadways.

“Limiting construction during holidays when traffic volume is higher helps provide safer conditions for the traveling public, road construction workers and our highway maintenance crews,” McInnes said. “Motorists should remember to drive carefully at all times, don’t drive impaired, obey posted speed limits and make sure seat belts are fastened every trip, every time.”

During the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday period, there were eight traffic fatalities in Alabama – down from 10 the previous year. Alabama’s “Take Back our Highways” campaign has been instrumental in lowering fatalities since its inception in August 2007.