Millions of Americans are traveling this Memorial Day weekend, marking the start of the summer travel season. Traffic is building up in many areas, and the TSA is seeing pre-COVID-19 pandemic numbers as travelers fly to their holiday destinations. All modes of transportation are close to 2019 or pre-pandemic numbers, with air travel being bigger than pre-pandemic 2019. State police officials are focusing on the fatal five driving behaviors that contribute to the most fatal or serious injury crashes: speed, occupant safety, lane safety, impaired driving, and distracted driving. AAA predicts 42.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more to their Memorial Day weekend destinations.
As detailed in KEZI 9 News, millions of Americans are hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend, marking the start of the summer travel season. With traffic already building up in many areas, it’s shaping up to be a holiday mass exodus.
The TSA is already seeing pre-COVID-19 pandemic numbers as travelers fly to their holiday destinations. “All the modes of transportation are close to 2019 or pre-pandemic numbers,” said Andrew Gross, a spokesman for the Automobile Association of America. “The one that is actually bigger than pre-pandemic 2019 is air travel, this year.” TSA screened about 2.6 million passengers on Thursday, the most since 2019.
KEZI 9 News spoke with Allie Lacovelli, who was stopped at a local gas station. Lacovelli said her husband is in the military and has to move around a lot. She’s proud to be from the east coast, but fell in love with the pacific northwest while she was here. “I’m very sad to leave Washington,” Lacovelli said. “I’m an East Coast person through and through, and then we moved here and I really, really, really fell in love with it, so I’m really sad to leave… changing rain for snow, a lot of snow, so it’s gonna be fun.”
Lacovelli said she’s traveling with her mother-in-law, Kate, her best friend, Gabrielle, and her three-year-old son, Luka. Their travels will include San Francisco to drop off her mother-in-law, then visit some national parks in Nevada and Utah on their way to New York. Lacovelli said she’s looking forward to driving on Highway 50, which she said has been described as “the loneliest road in America.”
State police officials say all sworn members will be out this weekend focusing on the fatal five, or the five major categories of driving behaviors that contribute to the most fatal or serious injury crashes: speed, occupant safety, lane safety, impaired driving, and distracted driving. Police also recommend drivers to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to reach their destination. Checking Tripcheck.com can provide vital information on any detours or construction delays.
AAA predicts 42.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more to their Memorial Day weekend destinations. In the event of the unexpected, AAA will also come to the rescue of more. So, whether you’re traveling by plane or automobile, make sure to plan ahead, stay safe, and enjoy your Memorial Day weekend.
