Alabama’s Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is urging motorists to drive safely over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Highway travel during the 2012 Thanksgiving holiday is expected to be heavy in Alabama during the three-day holiday weekend and as the college football season continues. ALDOT is urging motorists to drive safely in their travels.

Thorsby Police Chief Rodney Barnett said most accidents occur on the interstate due to people traveling out of town to visit family.

“We really don’t see a whole lot of accidents in Thorsby during the holidays,” Barnett said. “We just urge everyone to be careful when they are traveling.”

Barnett said some of the safety tips for motorists preparing to travel are to never drink and drive and if traveling in pairs, alternate driving.

Maplesville Police Chief Todd Ingram said another contributing factor to traffic accidents is texting while driving.

“People need to remember to not use their cell phones while driving,” Ingram said. “Another thing motorists need to make sure of is checking the tire pressure, oil and fluids before driving a long distance. The last thing you want to do is be stuck on the side of the road because you didn’t check your oil.”

As an added precaution during the heavily traveled holiday, ALDOT announced Monday there would be no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates after noon, Nov. 21 through midnight Nov. 25.

For the safety of the traveling public, construction industry workers and maintenance crews, road work will be limited during this busy holiday period. Throughout the year, ALDOT limits road construction during major holiday weekends. However, emergency lane closures may be possible dependant on specific circumstances on interstates and other state roadways.