The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) investigated 14 traffic deaths during this year’s five-day Thanksgiving travel period, according to a release.

Alabama State Troopers upped their presence on roads, highways and interstates from 12:01 a.m. Wed., Nov. 23 to Sun., Nov. 27 at midnight to keep travelers safe.

“There is never a good time to report traffic fatalities, particularly when we see an increase,” Secretary of Law Enforcement Stan Stabler said. “During Thanksgiving this year, our troopers investigated four more traffic deaths than during the same extended holiday weekend in 2015.”

According to ALEA holiday travel period statistics, the fatal traffic crashes occurred in Baldwin, Calhoun, Choctaw, Cleburne, Coosa, Cullman, Limestone, Macon, Marshall, Mobile, Monroe, Shelby and Tuscaloosa counties. Among the 14 individuals killed were a motorcyclist who was using a helmet, and a 12-year-old who was operating an ATV without a helmet. Ten of the individuals were drivers, and two were passengers. Twelve of the individuals were traveling in vehicles equipped with seat belts, but only seven of them were buckled up.

Additionally, Stabler said troopers investigated 419 traffic crashes, resulting in 204 injuries during the travel period, and they assisted 200 motorists who encountered problems along Alabama’s roadways. Grant funding from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) made the additional trooper shifts possible.

During the Thanksgiving travel period of 2015, which began at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and ended at midnight Sunday, Nov. 29, troopers investigated 10 traffic deaths.

This information is based on trooper-investigated traffic crashes. Statewide numbers are not available at this time. Nothing further is available as troopers continue to investigate.