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Drive Safe Over Thanksgiving HolidayStaff reports
iBerkshires
06:08PM / Wednesday, November 26, 2008
BOSTON — While the American Automobile Association is forecasting a slight decline in travel this Thanksgiving, state police expect the weekend will still be the busiest travel holiday weekend of the year.
The state police have increased patrols on the roadways over the weekend and urge motorists to plan ahead in anticipation of heavy traffic. The heaviest traffic is expected to be on Wednesday and Sunday.
They're advising people who can to avoid traveling during those traveling those days.
Nationwide, the souring economy may be having an effect on holiday excursions. According to AAA Southern New England, approximately 41 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving, a decrease of 1.4 percent, or 600,000 travelers, from last year's total of 41.6 million.
This is the first decline in Thanksgiving holiday travel since 2002 and the fourth consecutive travel holiday this year (after Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day) with a year-to-year decline in the number of travelers.
However, travel in the Northeast isn't going to change much. AAA is projecting decreases that are less than the national averages: 0.1 percent by car and 0.9 percent in overall travel.
 "The overall state of the economy continues to present real challenges for some Americans looking to travel this Thanksgiving," said Lloyd P. Albert, senior vice president of AAA Southern New England. "However, the desire to spend time with family, combined with significantly lower gasoline prices than earlier this year, will provide a strong impetus for many Americans to travel this holiday season."
Gas prices have plummeted along with crude oil prices, dropping to 2002 levels over the past few weeks. In the Berkshires, prices are hovering around the $1.90 a gallon mark — that's down more than a dollar from this summer.
That won't help those flying off to see Grandma; AAA estimates that air passengers can expect airfares 8 percent higher than last year and rental cars 4 percent higher. But travelers may find more bargains when looking for a place to stay, as average rates for AAA Three Diamond hotels are down an average of 10 percent compared to last year.
More than 33.2 million Americans (81 percent of all holiday travelers) expect to travel by automobile, a 1.2 percent decrease from the 33.6 million who drove a year ago. Nearly 4.54 million (11 percent of all holiday travelers) plan to travel by airplane, a 7.2 percent decrease from the 4.89 million that flew last year. And another 3.26 million (eight percent) intend to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation, up 5.8 percent over last year.
State police have some tips for those hitting the road over the next few days:
Keep your eye on the traffic; call the 511 traffic information line for real-time traffic information.
Don't rush — make sure you've got extra time to get to your destination.
Make sure you've got a full tank of gas, properly inflated tires, charged cell phone, warm clothes and emergency equipment like flashlights and flares.
Don't speed and don't tailgate. Motorists should always allow at least one car length for every 10 mph between their car and the car in front of them.
Sleepy? Pull over. Drowsy driving causes accidents. The only safe proven way to combat drowsy driving is to pull over to a safe parking area and take a 20-minute nap.
You should know this one but it's worth repeating: Don't drink and drive. Police will have extra patrols and sobriety checkpoints over the holiday weekend looking for impaired operators. If your holiday plans call for celebrating with alcohol, plan on staying overnight or designating a driver.
Fasten all seat belts.
Dial 911 in an emergency. Be aware of your location so you can inform the operator.
AAA's Thanksgiving travel projections are computed by the Travel Industry Association, which conducts special research for AAA. |
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