Highway travel during the 2010 Christmas and New Year holiday weeks 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 Monday there would be no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates after noon, Thursday, Dec. 23, through midnight, Sunday, Dec. 26.

Additionally, the same observances will apply from Thursday, Dec. 30, through midnight Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011.

However, 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,” said McInnes. “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 78-hour Christmas holiday period, there were 10 traffic fatalities in Alabama – up from eight the previous year. This year’s “Operation Safe Holidays” campaign, conducted by the Alabama Department of Public Safety in partnership with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Alabama Department of Transportation, is focused on reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities by increasing the numbers of troopers patrolling Alabama’s highways during the holiday season.

For more info about highway safety, visit www.dot.state.al.us or www.dps.alabama.gov.