Exercise caution as holiday travel volume returns

What a difference a year makes: In 2020, as COVID-19 hit a fall resurgence, Thanksgiving brought mandated school closings as a precaution, canceled travel plans, and families avoiding gatherings among vulnerable elderly grandparents and children and grandchildren.

This favorite time to share holiday weekend, decide with others became a day of ahead of time on transportation. dinner for two, the table seating Travel with a designated just members of a household as driver or use a ride-share. Do if it was an ordinary Thursday. not get behind the wheel or let

Not so in 2021: People are someone you know who has planning gatherings to bring been drinking drive. together several generations, Second, be aware that there and they don’t mind traveling may be impaired drivers on to get there. the road and drive defensively

America’s busiest travel and with extra caution. week is back. With more cars on the road,

With that said, we’re here more breakdowns are likely, to offer a word of caution: Be adding an additional danger careful out there, and we’re of people along the roadside. not talking about COVID. AAA stated in a press release

Nearly 600,000 Philadelphia-area that in the Philadelphia residents will be five-county area alone, the organization traveling over the long Thanksgiving is expecting to assist holiday weekend and 90 more than 5,300 members percent of them will be on the over the Thanksgiving holiday road, which is a lot of traffic on weekend and more than highways and bridges of the region, a third of those calls will require according to AAA. a tow.

Add to that volume a propensity Drivers are reminded to always for drinking and driving slow down and move that begins the day before over for tow truck drivers, first the holiday and extends responders and the motorists through the weekend, particularly they are assisting on the side among young people home of the road. from school or faraway jobs and And, for the sake of your reuniting with friends. own peace of mind and for

Thanksgiving Eve has those around you, be patient. earned the nickname “Blackout The roads and airports will be Wednesday,” which refers to busy, so plan ahead. the dangers of excessive drinking, Arrive at the airport early and the toll has been tragic so you’ll have plenty of time to when combined with driving. get through longer TSA lines

According to the National and other travel checkpoints. Highway Traffic Safety Administration: For domestic travel, AAA suggests 2 hours ahead of departure

• From 2014 to 2018, 138 time and 3 hours for international. drivers involved in fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Eve Hit the road when there’s were alcohol-impaired, and less traffic and allow for extra over the entire holiday period time when traveling to your more than 800 people died in destination. alcohol-impaired crashes. Thanksgiving is a holiday

• During the 2018 Thanksgiving intended for measuring the holiday period, more than blessings of our lives against three times as many drivers involved the hardships our communities in fatal crashes were alcohol-impaired have endured. This year during nighttime brings a special poignancy to hours than during the day. that measurement.

• Over the past 5 years Don’t let alcohol, crowds or (2014-2018), 47% of drivers between annoyances spoil your holiday. the ages of 21 and 34 involved Drink responsibly; watch in fatal car crashes on out for those around you, Thanksgiving Eve were impaired and be aware of surroundings. by alcohol. Thanksgiving 2021 offers

The words of caution are much to celebrate. Don’t let twofold: If planning to drink the hazards of travel ruin it: away from home during the Be careful out there.