August 30, 20184 min readSafety

Safety should not take a backseat as the summer winds down

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RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Historically, Labor Day is the least traveled holiday as the three-day weekend concludes when many travelers will be preparing children for school the following Tuesday.
  • One Tank Trips for Labor Day: Many families are making plans to stay closer to home or take one tank trips.
  • Higher Gas Prices: Last year’s Labor Day weekend saw gas prices spike due to Hurricane Harvey. Despite no hurricane activity this Labor Day weekend, gas prices will be at their highest point for the holiday since 2014.
  • Celebrate Responsibly: Labor Day weekend is one of the deadliest times of the year in terms of drunk-driving fatalities. During the 2016 Labor Day holiday period, 43% of nationwide crash fatalities involved drivers who had been drinking.
  • Roadside Rescue: AAA expects to rescue more than 400 motorists in South Dakota around the Labor Day holiday. Dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires will be the leading reasons.

 

AAA Urges Travelers to Celebrate Labor Day Safely & Responsibly

Safety should not take a backseat as the summer winds down

August 30, 2018 — As the last official summer holiday kicks off this weekend, AAA is reminding travelers to celebrate safely and responsibly. AAA auto travel counselors expect thousands of South Dakotans to hit the highways for one last vacation to popular destinations statewide.

“Historically, Labor Day is the least traveled holiday as the three-day weekend concludes when many travelers will be preparing children for school the following Tuesday,” says Marilyn Buskohl, AAA spokeswoman. “Thus, we are seeing many families making plans to stay closer to home or take one tank trips to make the most of the last days of summer.”

National Gas Price Average Holds Steady Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

Last year’s Labor Day weekend saw gas prices spike due to Hurricane Harvey. As it battered the Southeast, it shut down refineries and pipelines driving gas prices toward their highest point of 2017 ($2.67). Despite no hurricane activity this Labor Day weekend, gas prices will be at their highest point for the holiday since 2014.

The current national gas price average has held steady at $2.84, which is two cents cheaper than a month ago, but 46-cents more than a year ago.

Motorists may see a small swing towards higher gas prices, but any jump should not last past the holiday weekend.

Celebrate Safely & Responsibly

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Labor Day weekend is one of the deadliest times of year in terms of drunk-driving fatalities. During the 2016 Labor Day holiday period, 43% of nationwide crash fatalities involved drivers who had been drinking.

“Safety should not take a backseat while celebrating,” continues Buskohl. “Driving while impaired is illegal and puts the driver, passengers and other road users at risk of serious injury or death.”

AAA to Rescue More Than 400 Motorists Locally over the Labor Day holiday

AAA expects to rescue more than 400 motorists in South Dakota around the Labor Day holiday. Dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires will be the leading reasons AAA members will experience car trouble. AAA recommends motorists take their vehicle to a trusted repair facility to perform any needed maintenance before heading out. Oil changes, fluid level checks, battery tests and tire inspections go a long way toward reducing the chances of a breakdown.

AAA offers the following tips for those traveling this Labor Day weekend:

  • Check gas prices: Continue checking AAA’s gas price site (https://gasprices.aaa.com/) for updated information on increases in departure and arrival states.
  • Check your vehicle: Check tires, batteries and fluid levels. 
  • Buckle up. Have everyone in your vehicle wear their seat belts at all times.
  • Never drink and drive, and remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving. Plan ahead and have a designated driver or organize a ride if you’ll be consuming alcohol.
  • Map your route: Plan ahead and map out your travel/seek an alternative route if needed (AAA travel counselors are assisting members at area AAA offices).
  • Don’t drive distracted: Stay focused and eliminate distractions such as cellphones.
  • Move over: It is the law in all 50 states. Be mindful of construction and emergency workers on the roads.
  • Fill up: Fill up the gas tank to avoid being stranded.
  • Have an Emergency Road Kit: Every vehicle should be equipped with a well-stocked emergency kit that includes a mobile phone and car charger, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a basic toolkit with tire pressure gauge and adjustable wrench, windshield washer solution, jumper cables and emergency flares or reflectors, drinking water, extra snacks and food for travelers and pets.

 

 

 

 

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