Has Covid-19 Affected your Memorial Day Travel Plans?
Covid-19 has had an impact on many families’ travel plans for 2020. Memorial Day weekend is usually a time where families hit the road and travel to the lake or the beach for the long three-day weekend.
As of May, most states are taking steps to re-open businesses with restrictions. In Illinois, the governor is planning to move to Phase 3 by the end of the month which would reopen manufacturing, offices, retail, barbershops, and salons with restrictions. If you plan on staying in Illinois, most state parks and lakes are open to the public.
If you are planning on traveling to another state this weekend, CNN has included restrictions in every state – https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/us/states-reopen-coronavirus-trnd/
AAA Travel Forecast
Usually AAA makes a forecast about Memorial Day weekend as to how many motorists and other travelers will be heading out of town for the long holiday weekend but not this year. For the first time in two decades, the travel club won’t be releasing a forecast.
Memorial Day Weekend Accident Stats
Last year, approximately 43 million Americans traveled for Memorial Day weekend. From 2011 to 2015, the average number of fatal accidents on Memorial Day was 312. In the past, the number of accidents were due to the high traffic volume and alcohol consumption. As people have been cooped up at home for months, alcohol sales have increased by 55% as of late March.
Tips for Safe Driving over Memorial Day Weekend
For the first time, travel predictions are unknown so it is always better to be on the safe side and be prepared if you are on the road.
- Buckle Up: Memorial Day Weekend takes place during National Click It or Ticket Enforcement Week. You should always wear your seat belt regardless where you are at in the car. Wearing seat belts save lives.
- Drive Slow: If you are experiencing heavier traffic the faster you drive the more likely you could be involved in a crash
- Pay attention to the Road: Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents especially if there are more passengers in the vehicle. Families and friends will be piled in vehicles heading to their destinations which could result in a very distracted driver.
- Have a Designated Driver: always have a designated driver or utilize a ride-sharing service to take you
- Keep your Vehicle Well-Maintained: Make sure your vehicle has been checked. Having to pull over at any time on the highway can put you in harm’s way.
- Know about Road Construction: Be aware of any road construction on your traveled route. At any point when traffic has to slow down for construction or another accident this increases the chance of a crash. If possible, try to take a different route.
- Leave Extra Room: always make sure there is plenty of room between you and the vehicle ahead.
- Travel during Less congested Times: The best times to drive are before 6 a.m., between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and after 8 p.m. A study looked at Memorial Day traffic, and found that traffic is clogged on Friday until about 7 p.m. The worst time to hit the road is between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. However, Thursday is now worse than traveling on Memorial Day Weekend.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, make sure you also have a good, experienced, and reputable auto accident lawyer in Illinois to advise you. The attorneys at Sam C. Mitchell & Associates work exclusively for people injured in accidents. Contact our Illinois auto accident attorneys at Sam C. Mitchel & Associates today by calling (618) 505 – 1660 to begin your road to recovery now.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/memorial-day-driving-car-accidents/