School’s about to be out, and Memorial Day weekend is upon us.

Chances are if you haven’t already made your way to the lake, you’ll be headed that way soon or you’ll take a trip on the highway.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issued a press release advising residents to play it safe along Alabama’s waterways and roadways this weekend.

The official holiday travel period kicks off at 6 a.m. in the morning and runs to midnight on Monday, but Troopers will work together throughout the next two weeks to create a highly visible enforcement presence and to promote public safety.

“We urge motorists and boaters of all ages to obey all traffic and boating laws to ensure everyone enjoys the extended holiday weekend and the coming warm-weather months,” Secretary of Law Enforcement Stan Stabler said. “We would like nothing more than to reduce the number of traffic and boating crashes, injuries and fatalities. We will team with our country and municipal law enforcement partners to serve and protect the citizens of Alabama, particularly on Memorial Day weekend, when we typically see more traffic.”

During the days surrounding Memorial Day weekend, Troopers will participate in two national safety campaigns: National Safe Boating Week, which begins Sat., May 21, and runs through Fri., May 27; and Click It or Ticket, which runs through June 5.

Col. John Richardson, director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, said Troopers and other officers will be looking for motorists who are not buckled up.

In Alabama, the seat belt law mandates that all front-seat occupants – regardless of age – be restrained.

They also will engage in routine patrols, as well as traffic, boating and alcohol enforcement details, and they will be available to help motorists.

Those who need to reach a post may call *HP on their cell phones.

“Troopers will target such dangerous behavior as speeding, DUI, distracted driving, following too closely and other driving behaviors that cause crashes and contribute to more severe crashes,” Secretary Stabler said, adding the expanded traffic enforcement initiative is made possible by grants provided by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT).