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. The Alabama Department of Transportation urges motorists to drive safely in their travels. 

As an added precaution during the heavily traveled holiday, ALDOT announced today there would be no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates after 12 noon, Wednesday, Nov. 21, through midnight, Sunday, Nov. 25.

For the safety of the traveling public, construction industry workers and maintenance crews, roadwork 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.

ALDOT's mission is to provide a safe, efficient, environmentally and economically sound transportation network across Alabama.

It is a priority year-round, but school bus safety is particularly important during the school year, when motorists come into contact with school buses on a daily basis. 

This year, School Bus Safety Week is Oct. 22 to 26, and the Alabama Department of Public Safety is partnering with the Alabama Department of Education to remind motorists of the law and what is required in an effort to prevent crashes, injuries and fatalities.  In 2011, there were 546 crashes, 268 injuries and five fatalities involving school buses in Alabama. 

Motorists may be aware that the law requires all traffic from both directions on a two-lane roadway to stop when school buses stop for passengers, but there also are rules to ensure safety in other situations.

Traffic from both directions must also stop for school buses on:

• Roadways with two lanes and a center turning lane

• Roadways with four or more lanes and a center turning lane