By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
A long holiday period began at 6 p.m. Friday and will continue through Tuesday at midnight for the period surrounding the New Year's holiday.
Local law enforcement agents as well as Alabama State Troopers will be on patrol during the peak holiday travel times.
All available troopers will be on patrol during peak holiday travel times. They will emphasize DUI enforcement during patrols and checkpoints in an effort to remove drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs from Alabama's roadways.
Grants from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Alabama Department of Transportation will help support the additional patrol effort.
Last year, 10 people died during the 78-hour New Year's travel period, with at least two deaths alcohol related.
Alabama is currently at a four-year low for rural traffic deaths. Department of Public Safety records indicate that there were 758 deaths from Jan. 1 through Dec. 26 this year, down 61 from the same time period last year.
Gov. Bob Riley said he was urging Alabamians not to drink and drive during the New Year's holidays.