FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Highway safety will be a priority for Alabama state troopers and other law enforcement agencies throughout the next several days. Officers will be out in force during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, stepping up enforcement activity to protect the lives of motorists.

“We’re going to have extra troopers out,” said Cpl. Steve Smith, public information and education officer with the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in Mobile. He said the extra effort is being funded using grants from the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs’ Law Enforcement’s Traffic Safety Section.

In addition to extra patrols, Smith said line patrols, speed detection and other enforcement details will be in use. Task Force Zero will be deployed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and will make use of the department’s fleet of BAT-mobiles (equipped with breath alcohol testing equipment furnished by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences) at many of the checkpoint locations.

Smith said, “We’ll be in Mobile County one night and in Baldwin the other night. We’ve got nine BAT-mobiles across the state.”

The search for impaired drivers will continue into the following weekend, when more are expected to be partaking of alcohol to toast the new year. He said, “As a general rule, New Year’s Eve is a time people gather around and there’s a lot of social drinking. Christmas is a family time. Enforcement is about traffic then because there are more people on the road.”

Troopers specializing in DUI detection are another enforcement component on federal and state highways this year.

“There are usually indications of intoxication, such as following too closely, drifting over the center line or the right-hand fog line,” he said. “They will fail to dim their headlights, or will speed. They forget the rules of the road.”

In a statement, Public Safety Director Col. J. Christopher Murphy said troopers will be aggressively working to curtail impaired driving during the holidays. He said troopers also will target those other violations that often contribute to crashes, including driver distraction and improper passing.

“An additional benefit of the increased trooper presence is that it serves as a visible reminder to motorists to voluntarily slow down and drive safely,” stated Murphy. “If holiday celebrations include alcohol, I strongly advocate designating a non-drinking driver, taking advantage of transportation options available in your area, or making other plans.” He also reminded motorists that the use of seat belts and child restraints is often the best defense in the event of an alcohol-related crash.

Trooper-reported traffic deaths in Alabama had declined for three consecutive years, and the department’s goal is to build on that success through the holidays and to year’s end. Murray noted year-to-date, trooper-reported traffic fatalities reflect 103 fewer people killed, when compared to the same period in 2008 (510 vs. 613).

The 78-hour Christmas travel period begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, and ends at midnight Sunday, Dec. 27. In 2008, eight people, including one pedestrian and one motorcyclist, died in traffic crashes on Alabama roadways during the 102-hour Christmas period. Alcohol was a factor in at least three of the deaths, and four of the six vehicle occupants killed were not using seat belts.

The 78-hour New Year’s travel period extends from 6 p.m. Dec. 31, through midnight Jan. 3. Last year, 14 people, including one motorcyclist, one pedestrian and one bicyclist, died in traffic crashes in the state during the 102-hour New Year’s travel period. At least five of the deaths involved alcohol, and nine of the 11 vehicle occupants were not wearing seat belts.

Smith said drivers need to be keenly aware of the state’s relatively new “move-over” law. It requires motorists to move over one lane on two-lane roads when law enforcement officers, wrecker operators and other emergency workers are on the roadside with emergency lights activated. If moving over is not possible, the law mandates drivers slow down so they can pass the emergency vehicles and first responders safely.

He said warnings have been issued for about a year to those violating the law, but active enforcement begins Feb. 1. After that date, those not complying will be issued a traffic citation.

“There are billboards and posters all over the state so when we start citing for it, people won’t be too surprised,” Smith said. “They need to look for amber, red or blue flashing lights. Right now, some people don’t move over, and their natural curiosity to see what’s going on makes them look over there. And with intoxicated drivers, the lights are distracting.”

There are 16 state troopers assigned to Baldwin County, Smith said, while 22 are on duty in Mobile. Another 14 are assigned to the Grove Hill area, the third region under the auspices of the Mobile DPS office.