The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Lower gas prices to put more people on the road
Last chance for a summer, threeday weekend getaway
Expect more people on the roads this Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer.
For many people, it’s the last chance to make a threeday weekend getaway this season. Labor Day weekend is the thirdbusiest travel time during the summer behind Independence Day and Memorial Day.
And this year, drivers will be paying less for gas.
AAA said that, at $2.59, the national gas price average is poised to be potentially the cheapest Labor Day weekend average in three years. Today’s average is already is nearly a quarter cheaper than during last year’s holiday ($2.83) and four cents cheaper than 2017’s Labor Day ($2.63).
“For Americans who bookend summer with road trips, they will find gas prices this coming weekend that are cheaper than this past Memorial Day and last year’s Labor Day holiday,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “At the start of the week, twothirds of all states have gas price averages that are nearly a quarter cheaper than last year.”
Connecticut’s average price of a gallon of regular gas is $2.75 — 28 cents cheaper than last Labor Day weekend.
With good weather in the forecast, expect more people on the roads, especially Friday afternoon/ evening and Monday afternoon.
More police on the roads
Connecticut State Police will gear up to ensure the highways are safe from impaired or distracted drivers.
Throughout the state, there will be roving DUI patrols and checkpoints starting at midnight Friday and continuing throughout the holiday weekend.
“The priority of all operators should be arrival at their destination in a safe manner. Give yourself plenty of time to drive, plan for traffic delays and proceed with caution. Obeying the rules of the road is everyone’s responsibility,” said a statement from Col. Stavros Mellekas, commanding officer of the state police.
State police urge anyone planning to consume alcohol to designate a driver or plan for a taxi or rideshare service to get around. If anyone on the roads sees a suspected drunken driver, they
should call 911.
Last Labor Day weekend, state police handed out 1,314 speeding tickets and 2,474 infractions for hazardous moving violations such as unsafe lane changes, following too closely, cellphone, texting, etc.
There were twodozen DUI arrests and 281 accidents investigated by troopers, 38 with injuries.
Weather forecast
The National Weather Service’s forecast has today and Sunday as the best beach days with sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70s along the shore.
Long Island Sound’s water temperature ranges from 73 degrees in New Haven to 69 degrees in New London.
All local and state beaches will be open for swimming this holiday weekend.
Earlier this summer, a report found that Long Island Sound beaches had improved water quality.
On Long Island Sound, winds are expected between five and 10 knots.
Monday will be mostly cloudy with s 40 percent chance of showers.