MONTGOMERY – During this past Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday travel period that began at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 22 and ran through midnight on Jan. 2, Alabama State Troopers investigated 13 fatal crashes resulting in 14 traffic deaths.

Two motorcyclists and one pedestrian were among these traffic deaths, which occurred in Lamar, Mobile, Walker, Pickens, Etowah, Madison, Marshall, Calhoun, Butler, DeKalb, Monroe, Blount and Chambers counties. Although seat belts were available for 11 of the 14 individuals killed, only two of the 11 were wearing seat belts. At this time, it is unknown whether alcohol was a factor in any of the fatal crashes as Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.

In 2011, during the same 12-day period, Alabama State Troopers investigated 17 traffic fatalities. It is important to note that troopers investigated 514 traffic deaths in 2012, 33 fewer than in 2011 and 121 fewer than in 2008. As the new year progresses, troopers encourage the motoring public to continue to obey all traffic laws and make safety a priority.