‘Historic’ Travel Predicted For Independence Day Weekend

July 2, 2017

More Americans, including over 2.3 million Floridians, will travel this Independence Day weekend than ever before, according to AAA. At least 100,000 more Floridians are expected to travel this holiday weekend, an increase from last year of nearly 5 percent, the auto club predicted.

Gas prices are also down from one year ago, making the cost of traveling more budget-friendly.

Vicky Evans, assistant vice president of travel sales development for AAA – The Auto Club Group, predicted “historic” travel numbers throughout the country, and in Florida, over the next few days.

“Travel bookings at The Auto Club Group are up more than 15 percent in Florida, compared to this time last year. The biggest factors driving growth are low gas prices, strong employment, rising incomes, and higher consumer confidence; but overall Americans just love to travel, and want to do something fun for this mid-summer tradition,” Evans said in a press release.

The Florida Highway Patrol also plans to be out in extra numbers this weekend, making sure drivers reach their destinations safely. FHP Master Sgt. Dylan Bryan advised drivers to leave early, pack their patience and focus on the road, especially on congested byways.

“We will have distractions in our life that are internal. But with the things that we do have control over, try to limit those and reduce those as much as possible. Eating, drinking, cell phones, and texting while driving — all of these are huge distractions that obviously cause traffic crashes to occur,” Bryan said.

According to FHP statistics, eight people were killed in 897 crashes on Florida roads on July 4, 2016.

by The News Service of Florida

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News