With more people expected to hop in the car and head over the river and through the woods this Christmas than any that’ve come before, Alabama State Troopers are planning to step up their patrol presence on highways statewide to deter traffic accidents and offer a fast response when they occur.

AAA estimates that 115.6 million people — 104 million by car — will be on the move this holiday travel season, which the organization defines as the period between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1. That’s a 3.9 percent increase over last Christmas season, and the most since AAA first started tracking travel statistics back in 2000.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) says it plans to keep a high profile on roads statewide “by assigning all available Troopers to patrol Alabama roadways and bolster enforcement efforts to prevent traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities,” according to a release from the agency. “Our goal is simply to save lives,” ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor, said in the statement.

ALEA defines the holiday travel period much as AAA does, though it begins a day earlier, on Dec. 20. In addition to public reminders that troopers are watching for reckless and intoxicated driving, the agency also is participating in the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, aimed at cutting down on driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

ALEA advises exercising common sense and caution through the busy holiday travel period. “When so many are traveling at this time of year, safety is key. Please obey speed limits, insist everyone in the vehicle buckle up, do not drive while under the influence or while distracted, and do not follow too closely,” Taylor said. “These driving behaviors are among the most deadly. Let’s all do our part during the holiday season, as well as the rest of the year, to #ArriveAliveAlabama.”