IRON MOUNTAIN - AAA (American Automobile Association) expects 34.4 million motorists to travel the nation's roadways for the Labor Day holiday.
Nancy Cain of AAA Michigan said this is the last official holiday of the summer before children head back to school and adults go back to work. It officially starts today and ends on Monday.
"In Michigan, 1.2 million people will be traveling, and 34.4 million will be traveling nationally. Nationally, those numbers are up by 10 percent from last year," Cain said. "I do think with the good weather forecast and stable gas prices, we will see more people traveling this Labor Day than last year."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown is in effect until Monday.
More than 10,000 law enforcement agencies are participating in the nationwide crackdown with nearly 2,400 involved from the Midwest.
Locally, the Iron Mountain State Police Post has received grant funds and will have extra cars patrols for this drunk driving campaign.
Iron Mountain Police Department is participating in this crackdown, and Norway Police will be looking for drunk drivers as usual. The NHTSA noted police will be especially vigilant during high-risk night-time hours.
On a lighter note, gas prices have remained stable all summer and that will be the case this weekend.
Cain said, on average, gas prices are $2.69 or $2.70 a gallon, which is a dime higher than last year at this time and over $1 less than two years ago. She contributed this to amble supply and not as much demand.
The busiest travel times will be Friday morning and afternoon and Monday evening. And 98 percent of people will be driving a vehicle rather than flying or riding by bus for this holiday.
AAA encourages motorists to leave at an off-peak time to avoid heavy traffic.
"There will be a lot of people on the road. Allow extra time to get where you're going," Cain said.
The National Safety Council reports that Labor Day weekend is a deadly time on America's roadways. Drivers are reminded to buckle up, drive sober and put down the cell phone.
Sgt. Bill Borga of the Iron Mountain State Police Post said those who are traveling this holiday weekend should allow plenty time to get to their destination, watch speeds and allow plenty of distance between vehicles.
Lisa M. Hoffmann's e-mail address is lhoffmann@ironmountaindailynews.com.