DOTHAN, Ala. — Thanksgiving is a time of year many families come together to give thanks but with that comes traveling.
That’s why the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency wants everyone to be safe.
The ALEA Highway Patrol Division said one way to be safe driving for thanksgiving is to not fidget with the radio or play with your cell phone.
If you plan on using google maps, have someone in the car pull up the maps or if alone use the map voice to direct you so you don’t have to look away.
“Taking your eyes off the road is just about the same as driving an entire football field with your eyes closed,” ALEA Recruiting Coordinator Kendra McKinney said. “So, we strongly encourage to just don’t be distracted by anything inside of your vehicle. Make sure you keep your eyes on the road. If you do receive a text message in case of an emergency, we encourage you to pull over.”
Other safety tips McKinney made are following Alabama driving laws making sure you’re not speeding, following someone too closely, not driving under the influence and getting a designated driver if you plan on drinking, and lastly put on your seatbelt.
“Now in the state of Alabama everyone is required to wear seatbelts inside the vehicle being front and rear seats,” McKinney said.
One thing ALEA wants to remind everyone of is the move over law, which they said a lot of folks aren’t aware of.
“If you see emergency lights on the side of the road we strongly encourage people to either move over into the opposite lane or slow down to 15 miles under the posted speed limit if they are not able to get over,” McKinney said.
