A recent study of Alabama traffic data by the University of Alabama’s Center for Advanced Public Safety predicts the days near Christmas this year will likely be more dangerous on the roadways than similar periods around Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. A probable cause for the increase of accidents near Christmas is the heavy traffic associated with last-minute shopping during the days before and drivers traveling long distances to unfamiliar locations, said David Brown, a computer science professor at UA and a research associate with CAPS, in a statement released by the university. This year, Brown predicts Dec. 20 through Dec. 23 will be the worst days. The actual holidays are typically safer for travel since there is less traffic, according to the study. Sources: The Tuscaloosa News, WLTZ NBC 38, Insurance Journal, The Washington Post, The Connecticut Day, Kitsap Sun , Brattleboro Reformer, The Morning Sentinel, Insurance News Net, The Crimson White, The Anniston Star, KSNF NBC, Orange County Register, KDFW NBC 5, WVTM NBC 13, KSHB NBC 41, Forskning (Norway) , USA Today, WBRC Fox 6, Al.com, Davis Enterprise, WGN-AM 720, WISH CBS 8