00:00Here with more is Aixa Diaz, media relations manager for AAA. Thank you so much for joining
00:07us. Busy, busy time frame and in fact Thanksgiving travel is projected to be up even from last year.
00:16What is AAA projecting or looking for and what should drivers expect this holiday?
00:24Well Bernie, Melissa, Thanksgiving is always the busiest travel holiday out of the whole year. So
00:30people travel for Thanksgiving in big numbers but we're projecting the biggest number this year
00:35compared to any that we've seen before. Nearly 80 million Americans traveling over Thanksgiving
00:41from Tuesday through Monday. It used to be that Wednesday and Sunday were the two busiest days
00:46and they still are. But that Tuesday before Thanksgiving has also become pretty busy
00:51because a lot of kids are off from school on Wednesday so families take off on Tuesday now.
00:55Majority of people will be driving so that is the most popular way to travel over the holidays.
01:00And the good news for them is that gas prices are down considerably compared to last year
01:04and they've been coming down at a pretty steady rate. The national average is getting very close
01:09to $3 a gallon. We haven't seen the national average that low since 2021. But about half
01:14the country is already paying less than $3 a gallon so that's good news for them. But expect
01:18a lot of people on the roads. Obviously that Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon are going to
01:22be the most crowded and then Sunday coming back but also Monday. That's a school day
01:26and a work day for people so that Monday after Thanksgiving will also be a little rough.
01:31Now of course weather always becomes a factor into the mix especially when we're talking about
01:36those peak travel days. We're getting snowfall out there. What should we do for those that are
01:40trying to take to the roads with these winter weather conditions? You have to pay attention
01:45to the forecast so don't be oblivious. Not only check the forecast of where you live so know what
01:51the weather's going to be like on your departure day but also look at your destination. Peek at
01:55that forecast and not just for the days that you're leaving but also for the day that you're
02:00planning to come back. We always advise at AAA if the weather is going to be bad and there's
02:05going to be a snowstorm or there's going to be some sort of thunderstorm, severe weather,
02:10stay home. Don't be on the roads. There's really the best advice in terms of driving in bad weather
02:14is don't do it. We always also suggest having an emergency kit in the vehicle. That includes
02:19snacks, extra bottles of water, extra tissues, also blankets because if you are in a cold weather
02:27area and there is some sort of backup on the interstate and you're stuck in your vehicle for
02:32hours or you have a flat tire and you're on the side of the road you're going to want that blanket.
02:37You know last Thanksgiving AAA responded to more than half a million emergency roadside calls
02:43and that was only for the Thanksgiving period and a lot of that has to do with dead batteries,
02:48flat tires, even people locking themselves out or running out of gas. So please fill up the night
02:54before and make sure that you know where the rest stops are along the way and the gas stations so
02:58you don't run out of gas. And really quickly any other safety tips for travelers? You know drowsy
03:05driving is a big problem and especially over the holidays when people let's say they want to get
03:11to their destination so they're going to drive all night to get there. If you're going to be driving
03:15during a time of day that you're not used to being awake, you're going to get sleepy behind
03:19the wheel. Also we're indulging in a lot of rich foods and having a heavy meal and then getting
03:24behind the vehicle you're going to get drowsy. So be mindful of those things. Also watch your speed
03:30because speeding is not going to get you there any faster. It's only going to make the roads more
03:33dangerous and slow down, move over. This is a big one that has to do with emergency vehicles,
03:38helping people on the side of the road, maybe a tow truck or a police officer, an ambulance.
03:43Reduce your speed when you see that and then ideally change lanes,
03:47get over so you're giving those people room to do their jobs and be safe.
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