The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is increasing patrols to help protect the lives and promote the safety of motorists in Alabama this holiday season.

“ALEA is utilizing all available resources during this peak travel period. We want all motorists to arrive at their destination safely,” said Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier. During the holiday travel period, which begins at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 19 and ends at midnight Jan. 2, state law enforcement officers will work to create a highly visible enforcement presence intended to prevent crimes and violations on Alabama roadways and waterways that lead to deaths and injuries. The public should expect officers to make enforcement stops.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 33,561 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2012, and 10,322 of those fatalities occurred in drunk-driving-related crashes.

More than one in five crash fatalities that year occurred in a crash that involved a drunk driver with a BAC at or above .15, which is nearly double the legal limit.

“If you are celebrating with alcohol this holiday season, do not drive,” said Col. John Richardson of ALEA’s Department of

Public Safety “During the 2013 holiday travel period, alcohol was a factor in five of the 17 ALEA Trooper-investigated fatalities.”

In addition, ALEA Troopers will be available to assist motorists and can be reached by dialing *HP (*47) on their cell phone.