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Memorial Day Weekend Travel Safety

On Behalf of | May 22, 2015 | Car Accident |

Every holiday weekend means an increase in traffic and the burdens that come along with it. This Memorial Day weekend will likely see an increase in car accidents due to congestion, visitors and the unsafe behaviors that attend many holidays. After a very difficult winter, many people will be looking to head to the beach to finally enjoy the return of warmer weather. If you are among the people traveling this weekend, please be careful. Holidays are no excuse to drive drunk, drive while distracted or generally engage in dangerous behavior.

According to AAA estimates, nearly one million people will travel 50 miles or more this weekend in New Jersey alone. That is the highest figure recorded since 2005. The vast majority of those travelers will go by car and will travel on the major highways around the State. Roughly 8 million drivers are expected on the Garden State Parkway with another 3.8 million using the New Jersey Turnpike. That many cars will inevitably lead to car accidents.

Memorial Day weekend travel picks up from Thursday through the actual holiday next Monday. Throughout that time, there will likely be an increase in traffic and in a primary holiday concern, drinking and driving. While it cannot match Fourth of July weekend or New Year’s for the number of intoxicated motorists, Memorial Day weekend has more than its fair share. Getting hit by a drunk driver or driving drunk and hitting someone else is a lousy way to commemorate Memorial Day.

If you are traveling, plan ahead, think clearly and drive carefully. Too many people will be sharing the roads with you to do anything else.

Source: NJ.com, “What you need to know about Memorial Day weekend travel in N.J.,” by Larry Higgs, 21 May 2015