As families across Alabama prepare for holiday travel, celebrations and ringing in the New Year, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is preparing to kick off its annual “12 Days of Safety” campaign — a festive, interactive public-safety initiative designed to keep everyone safe from the first day of winter through New Year’s Day.
The campaign begins Sunday, Dec. 21, and runs through Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, highlighting one safety theme each day. Through daily social media posts, photos, videos and reminders, ALEA will combine holiday cheer with life-saving messages aimed at reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
“This time of year should be about making memories, not responding to tragedies that could have been prevented,” said ALEA Secretary of Law Enforcement Hal Taylor. “Our 12 Days of Safety campaign is meant to be engaging and lighthearted, but the message is serious — simple, smart decisions save lives. We want everyone to arrive safely and start the new year surrounded by the people they love.”
A Daily Countdown to Safety:
Each day of the campaign focuses on a timely safety topic aligned with how Alabamians typically travel, shop and celebrate during the holidays:
• Day 1 – Dec. 21: Know Before You Go! Winter officially begins. Drivers are encouraged to check forecasts, vehicle readiness and road conditions before heading out.
• Day 2 – Dec. 22: Merry and Bright — but Alert! Staying visible and aware in busy parking lots, shopping areas and crosswalks.
• Day 3 – Dec. 23: Take It Easy on the Eggnog Tips on planning ahead, choosing sober rides and avoiding impaired driving.
• Day 4 – Dec. 24: Don’t Be a Grinch Behind the Wheel Patience, courtesy and sharing the road as holiday travel peaks.
• Day 5 – Dec. 25: Buckle Up, Buttercup! Seat belts save lives — every seat, every trip, every time.
• Day 6 – Dec. 26: Don’t Drive in a “Holidaze” Recognizing fatigue and preventing drowsy driving after long days and late nights.
• Day 7 – Dec. 27: No After-Holiday Deals Behind the Wheel A reminder to put phones down and avoid distracted driving amid holiday errands and New Year’s Eve travel.
• Day 8 – Dec. 28: Precious Cargo Ensuring children are properly secured in age- and weight-appropriate car seats.
• Day 9 – Dec. 29: Finding the Right Seat for Safety Booster seat reminders for children who have outgrown car seats but still need protection.
• Day 10 – Dec. 30: Give the Gift of Safety Teen driver reminders, including Alabama’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law.
• Day 11 – Dec. 31: Some Accessories Don’t Go with Your Party Dress New Year’s Eve impaired-driving prevention and safe-celebration tips.
• Day 12 – Jan. 1: Oh, Deer! Extra caution on rural roads, especially at night, due to increased wildlife activity.
“ALEA Troopers see firsthand how quickly a moment of celebration can turn into a lifetime of loss,” said Colonel Jonathan Archer, Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS). “Every reminder we share during this campaign is driven by one goal – zero lives lost. If these messages cause even one person to slow down, buckle up or make a safer choice, then this effort has made a real difference.”
Encouraging Community Engagement:
ALEA encourages the public to follow along and participate throughout the campaign by:
• Sharing daily safety posts with friends and family
• Participating in interactive polls, quizzes and reminders
• Posting photos using campaign hashtags such as #12DaysOfSafety and #ALEAProtects
Ongoing Enforcement and Visibility:
While the campaign emphasizes education and prevention, ALEA will also maintain a strong enforcement presence throughout the holiday travel period. All available ALEA Troopers will be actively patrolling roadways statewide from Dec. 22 through Jan. 2, focusing on deterring dangerous driving behaviors such as impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving and seat belt violations.
In the Montgomery area and surrounding communities, ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Montgomery Area Crime Suppression (MACS) unit will continue targeted enforcement efforts, including traffic stops and proactive patrols in high-crime areas.
As the countdown to the new year begins, ALEA reminds all Alabamians that safety is the best gift you can give — to yourself, your passengers and everyone sharing the road.
For daily updates, safety tips and campaign content, follow ALEA on social media @ALEAProtects throughout the 12 Days of Safety.
