ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – According to AAA, 1.38 million Georgians will travel at least 50 miles away from home during the travel period, which runs from Thursday, May 22, to Monday, May 26. That’s 45,000 more people than last year.
Nationwide, about 45.1 million people are expected to travel, surpassing the previous record of 44 million in 2005.
A significant portion of these travelers—about 1.23 million people in Georgia—are expected to arrive at their destinations via car. This is why both Georgia State Patrol troopers and local law enforcement will maintain close surveillance over the roadways from Friday evening through Monday night, as reported by the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS).
The department recommends driving early in the morning, as congestion increases in the afternoon and night.
“We aim for everybody to have an enjoyable holiday weekend with loved ones by concentrating on safe driving practices and reducing distractions that might result in severe or potentially deadly outcomes,” stated DPS Commissioner Colonel William W. Hitchens III.
Last year, troopers investigated more than 500 crashes in the state, which led to hundreds of injuries and 11 deaths. More than 500 people were also arrested for DUI, the department said.
In an effort to streamline travel and reduce delays, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) announced that it will halt all interstate lane closings starting Friday at midday until Tuesday evening at 5 o’clock.
If you need roadside assistance, two GDOT services are here to help. The Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program (CHAMP) and Highway Emergency Response Operators (HERO) can help you change tires, assess maintenance problems, and more for free. Dial 511 to reach them.
In the meantime, AAA reported that 3.61 million individuals across the country intend to travel by air—many of whom will likely transit through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, known globally as the busiest airport in the world.
As reported by the TSA, over 20,000 passengers had undergone screening by 6 a.m. on Friday.
Based on AAA reservation statistics, the leading domestic travel spots include Orlando, Seattle, and New York. Overseas, the preferred locations are Rome, Vancouver, and Paris.
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