AAA Breaks Down Labor Day Travel

Holiday Weekend Expected to Be Busiest in Years

If the Memorial Day and July 4^th holiday weekends were any indication, AAA expects there will be more traffic on the roads this Labor Day weekend than we’ve seen in years.

“Consumer confidence is up, folks are spending on travel and certainly the last holiday weekend of the summer will be no exception,” says Amy Parmenter, spokesperson for AAA in Greater Hartford. “Whether they are headed to the mountains or headed to the beach, those looking to squeeze in one final getaway will have plenty of company on the roads”.

Good News about Gas Prices

Even though gas prices are higher than they’ve been for several years, they’re actually the lowest they’ve been all summer. Today’s average across Connecticut is $3.04, down from the peak price of $3.15 at the end of May.

Busy Travel Times

The busiest travel time is anticipated to be Friday afternoon, when those trying to get a jump on the holiday weekend will be sharing the road with daily commuters wrapping up their work week.

Traffic is also expected to be heavy late Monday afternoon.

To avoid Labor Day weekend traffic, AAA encourages drivers who have the flexibility to travel at off-peak hours.

Breaking Down the Breakdowns

Last year over the Labor Day weekend, AAA responded to almost 3000 calls from members, just in the Greater Hartford area alone – and almost half of those calls required a tow.

“It’s important that drivers remember that their vehicle can break down just as easily over Labor Day weekend as it can at any time of year and that they take every precaution to ensure that their cars are road ready”, Parmenter says.

Last year over the Labor Day weekend, more than 400 drivers, just in Greater Hartford, called AAA because they had locked themselves out of their vehicles. With that in mind, AAA is reminding everyone that sometimes slowing down actually saves time.

Before Hitting the Road, here are 10 Car Care Tips from AAA:

• Check tire pressure of all tires – don’t forget to check the spare – if you have one!
• Check tire tread – Exchange.AAA.com offers a simple visual check using a penny or a quarter
• Check battery is in good working order (most batteries last 3-5 years); a AAA Approved Repair facility will do this for FREE
• Check air conditioning
• Check windshield wipers to make sure they are in good working order
• Check fluids
• Check headlights for functionality and clean lenses
• Make sure your cell phone is fully charged so you can call for help if needed
• Make sure your AAA membership is up to date
• Stock a Summer Emergency Kit with: jumper cables, tools, first aid supplies, flashlight with fresh batteries, road flare or reflective triangle, extra medications, snacks, water

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CT Mailing Address:
815 Farmington Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06119

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and more than one million members in Connecticut.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit www.aaa.com.