ATLANTA — The number of people traveling this Memorial Day is expected to be the highest level in a decade, AAA is predicting.
“Following a harsh winter, many Americans are trading in their snow boots for flip flops and making plans to start the season with a vacation getaway,” AAA President Marshall L. Doney said in a news release. “AAA is expecting more Memorial Day travelers this year than any time in the past 10 years as confident consumers come out of hibernation ready to explore national parks, beach destinations and America’s great cities.”
AAA is projecting 37.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this holiday, a 4.7 percent increase over the 35.5 million people who traveled during the Memorial Day weekend last year. Most — 33 million — will be driving this holiday, and authorities nationwide are expected to step up patrols to keep motorists safe.
In Georgia, which has seen a 20 percent increase in the number of fatalities on the roads so far this year, authorities are launching a “Border to Border” initiative aimed at ensuring motorists are buckled up while in transit.
“Seatbelts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater,” Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Harris Blackwood said in a news release. “We want to make this the safest summer possible. Buckling up is not optional. It’s the difference between life and death in a crash.”
Meanwhile, when it comes to picking where to travel, Las Vegas appears to be the most popular destination, according to a priceline.com survey. San Diego, Orlando, New York City and Chicago round out the top five most popular destinations for a Memorial Day getaway.
“Memorial Day weekend is typically the first big chance hotels have of luring consumers out of their homes after a long winter,” Brian Ek, priceline.com travel editor, said in a news release.
