Thanksgiving Travel Expected To Rise

This Thanksgiving, AAA projects 42.5 million Americans are expected to hit the road to visit friends and family, the highest number of holiday travelers since the start of the recession. This increased nationwide travel represents a 4% increase over the number of people traveling over Thanksgiving in 2010. In the Philadelphia region, AAA Mid-Atlantic expects more than 468,000 to travel 50 or more miles over the Thanksgiving weeeknd, a 3.5% increase over 2010 numbers. This marks the third consecutive Thanksgiving that more motorists have taken to the road than the year before.

Of the 42.5 million Americans traveling, 90% will be driving, while in the Philadelphia region, 89% are expected to travel by car. According to AAA Mid-Atlantic Manager of Public and Government Affairs Jenny Robinson, the increase in projected travel, both locally and nationally, represents the year's first increase in holiday travel volume. So far in 2011, Memorial Day saw no increase in travel from 2010, while the number of trips for the July 4th and Labor Day weekends both decreased from the year before.

One thing spurring the increased travel, especially in the Philadelphia region, has been a decline in gas prices. The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the five county Philadelphia region is $3.45 per gallon. While this is 45 cents more than one year ago, it is 60 cents less than the 2011 peak price of $4.05, set in early May 2011.

"Despite on-going economic concerns, the recent decline in regional gas prices will help many travelers satisfy a growing pent-up demand for travel during the holiday season", said Robinson.

From a safety perspective, PennDOT and police departments across the Commonwealth will partner for "Operation Safe Holiday", an agressive effort to keep drivers safe through the holiday season. Pennsylvania will conduct "Click It or Ticket" seat belt enforcement from Nov. 18th to Dec. 4th. Through early January, police will use sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols, and regular traffic safety patrols to crack down on motorists who are speeding, driving aggressively, or driving while impaired.

PennDOT reports that Thanksgiving continues to be the leading holiday for traffic crashes. There were 4,380 crashes and 55 fatalities last year last year during that period, which includes the weekends before and after the holiday. Of those 535 crashes were alcohol-related. During the Christmas and New Year travel periods, there were a combined 2,035 crashes and 19 fatalities.

PennDOT encourages motorists to make sure they are well-rested and alert before traveling. Travelers should also rotate drivers and take frequent breaks. Motorists should allow extra time to travel, expect to encounter travel delays, and check the forecast for their entire travel area before heading out.

Posted in: Ryan Jeroski