As the weather warms and schools break for spring and summer, traffic swells along Alabama’s most popular highways, often resulting in more crashes, injuries and fatalities. This year, the Alabama Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in full force along some of the state’s busiest roadways, particularly Interstate 65, U.S. 231 and U.S. 331.

“Of course, we want you to have fun and enjoy your getaways, but we want you to travel safely to and from your destination,” Col. Hugh B. McCall, director of Public Safety, said.

Using a safety initiative titled Operation 10-Mile, Alabama state troopers and other law enforcement officers will patrol 10-mile sections of these busiest highways — stretching from Tennessee to Florida and from Georgia to Mississippi — to remind motorists to drive safely. While troopers will enforce all traffic laws, they will concentrate on such violations as following too closely, failing to signal, failing to move over for first emergency responders and failing to use seat belts and child restraints.

“Our goal is to be highly visible during these special enforcement periods,” McCall said, adding that motorists also should remember to focus on the road while driving and to avoid such distractions as talking with passengers or on cell phones, texting, adjusting radios and eating. Operation 10-Mile will be conducted Friday, March 30, as well as April 6 and May 18.

For more information, please contact Public Safety’s Public Information/Education Unit at 334-242-4445.