Carolinians to travel in Record Numbers for Holidays

A record number of people are anticipated to travel for the holidays, reports AAA Carolinas Spokesperson Tiffany Wright. “A record breaking 4.5 million Carolinians plan to travel during the year-end holiday season this year, which is a 3.1% increase from last year. AAA Carolinas forecasts approximately 3.1 million North Carolinians and 1.4 South Carolinians will travel by automobiles, planes, trains and other modes of transportation. The year-end holiday period is defined as Saturday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Jan. 1. The majority of travelers will be driving to their destinations, with close to 2.8 million North Carolinians and just over 1.3 million South Carolinians hitting the roads over the 10 day holiday period.” With record numbers on the road, AAA Carolinas reminds everyone to buckle up, never drink and drive, eliminate distractions and exercise patience to help prevent road rage, adds Wright. “AAA Carolinas recommends that motorists avoid driving through major cities during peak travel times. The best times to leave are typically early morning or after the morning commute because the roads should be less crowded and motorists will have more time to reach their destinations safely. Traveling on the holiday itself often results in fewer cars on the road. Map your route in advance and be prepared for busy roads. Keep valuables in the trunk or covered storage area. Have your roadside assistance contact information on hand in case an incident occurs on the road. Keep a cell phone and charger with you at all times, in case of emergency. Obey traffic safety laws. Wear your seatbelt. Don’t speed. Don’t drink and drive. Eliminate distractions behind the wheel, such as mobile devices. Disconnect and drive. Before hitting the road, make sure your vehicle is road-trip ready. Stop by a trusted repair shop for an inspection.” Since the majority of holiday travelers will drive to their destinations, AAA Carolinas, the leader in roadside assistance, expects to rescue over 20,000 motorists during the year-end holiday period. Car battery-related issues, lockouts and flat tires will be the leading reasons AAA is called over the holidays.