Record-level holiday traffic expected
In Florida, an estimated 5.4 million people will travel during the 2016 year-end holiday season.
According to AAA, 3.1 percent more Floridians will journey 50 miles or more from home this year between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2 as compared to 2015. About 4.9 million will travel by automobile.
Nationwide, 103.1 million Americans are expected to travel during the same period – a 1.5 percent increase over 2015. It marks the highest total volume since AAA began tracking the data in 2001.
“This will be the most-traveled year-end holiday season on record, particularly for those who drive,” Joseph Richardson Jr., president of AAA The Auto Club Group, said via a prepared statement.
On local roads, law enforcement will be on the lookout throughout the holiday season. Through Jan. 1, the Cape Coral Police Department is participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
“The holiday season is always kind of an uptick in DUIs because people are out at parties having fun and they might not make the right choices,” Cpl. Phil Mullen, spokesman for the Cape Coral Police Department, said. “It’s a way to catch them and prevent them from hurting, or even killing, someone.”
Four out of 11 fatalities this year in the Cape, or 36 percent, have been directly attributed to impaired driving. At the same time last year, 62 percent – eight out of 13 – were due to impaired driving.
“If we didn’t have the enforcement, then the total might be higher,” he said.
“We’re going to be happy any time we see a decrease in alcohol-related fatalities,” Mullen added.
As part of the campaign, the CCPD will increase its saturation patrols.
“Looking specifically for impaired driving,” he said.
It will also utilize social media to alert drivers and the community of the campaign.
As for safety tips, Mullen suggested that holiday revelers designate a sober driver to take them home, call for a taxi or contact a service like Uber, or even stay put for the night where they are partying.
“Don’t have anything to drink and drive,” he said.
Do not text and drive, and drive defensively – do not speed and obey stop signs.
“Distracted driving is always a problem,” Mullen said, noting that distracted driving patterns can look like drunk driving patterns. “Distracted driving looks like drunk driving, so it’s pretty much as bad.”
“Do it when you’re not in the car,” he added.
Mullen offered other tips to keep travelers safe through the year-end holiday season.
“Check your tires, check your fluid,” he said.
Motorists should make sure all of their vehicle’s safety equipment works.
“Wear your seat belt,” Mullen said. “Seat belt, seat belt, seat belt.”
AAA and Budweiser are again offering the Tow to Go program through Jan. 2 to the public for the holidays. It is designed to help discourage an intoxicated driver from getting behind the wheel.
“This next week is usually the busiest time of the year for Tow to Go, but it doesn’t have to be,” Amy Stracke, managing director of AAA The Auto Club Group’s Traffic Safety Advocacy and executive director of AAA The Auto Club Group’s Traffic Safety Foundation, said via a prepared statement.
“Please plan ahead to make sure you and your loved ones get home safely,” she added.
The service provides a confidential ride to the driver to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. The service is free, and the AAA tow truck will take the vehicle and driver to the safe location.
To use the Tow to Go program, call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO (286-9246).