According to AAA, Thanksgiving travel is up this year and 38.4 million Americans will travel farther than 50 miles this weekend.

Year after year, Alabama State Troopers have been out on the roadways during holiday travel to make sure you are safe.

There is some great news to report; state wide, the number of fatalities on the roadways has dropped by 90 compared to this time last year. However, DUI arrests are up by 700 thanks to increased patrol.

"People need to be safer and they definitely need to have their seat belt on. Just do not drink and drive" says David Lee, a Dothan driver.

Lee has the right idea and Alabama state troopers hope you do too.

The busiest traveling season of the year is back in full swing.

"All available personnel will be out patrolling. We'll be enforcing our DUIs, seat belt laws, and child restraints are very important" says Alabama State Trooper Kevin Cook.

Obeying these laws is crucial but other problems on the road are out there including distracted drivers.

Eating, playing with the stereo and cell phone use, both talking and texting can cause critical, even fatal crashes.

"We are seeing that a lot more and it is becoming a real dangerous habit daily. You pull up to a red light; people are texting on their cell phone,” says Trooper Cook.

Of course drunk driving is still the main cause of accidents on the road, so make sure you have a designated driver.

Also, traffic is going to be heavy throughout the entire weekend; people will be shopping for the holidays and traveling back home.

"Be patient. There is going to be a lot of traffic, especially out on the circle. No road rage. We just want everyone to have a happy Thanksgiving," adds Trooper Cook.

The increased amount of state troopers on the road is made possible thanks to grant money from ADECA and ALDOT.

The Florida State Highway Patrol will also be on the lookout for drivers disobeying the law.