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Heavy travel weekend expected for the 4th

By CJ HADDAD - | Jun 30, 2022

Whether you’re traveling by land, air or sea this holiday weekend, forecasters are predicting travel numbers seen before the pandemic and even in record-setting amounts.

AAA predicts 2.6 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday weekend (June 30 – July 4). That’s 4% more than last year’s holiday, and just shy of those seen in 2019.

“The volume of travelers expected over Independence Day is a definite sign that summer travel is kicking into high gear,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group, in a release. “Earlier this year, we started seeing the demand for travel increase and it’s not tapering off. People are ready for a break and despite things costing more, they are finding ways to still take that much needed vacation.”

AAA said while all modes of transportation are up this year, the largest increase is in auto travel despite high gas prices. AAA predicts that 2.3 million Floridians will take a holiday road trip — the most on record dating back to 2001.

When it comes to traveling via plane, AAA said air travel should increase by 2% this year, though volumes are expected to sit well below pre-pandemic levels.

“Traveling by car does provide a level of comfort and flexibility that people may be looking for given the recent challenges with flying,” Haas continued. “But not all destinations are within driving distance, which doesn’t mean you have to abandon your vacation plans. The best advice we can give travelers is to consider working with a travel agent who can help plan for the unexpected — like a flight cancelation. They are your best advocate.”

So, how much will your trip cost you?

AAA said that the average lowest airfare is 14% more than last year coming in at $201 per ticket. Hotels to mid-range hotel rates are about 23% more than last year, with the average lowest nightly rates coming in at $244 per night for AAA Approved Hotels.

Florida gas prices declined 14 cents last week. The state average has now been on a two-week streak of declines, falling a total of 21 cents per gallon, since setting a new record high price of $4.89 per gallon on June 13.

“Gas prices are moving in a favorable direction, as millions of Americans prepare to embark on an Independence Day road trip,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group, in a release. “Despite the recent declines, gas prices are still likely to be the highest for this holiday in history.”

The discount at the pump is due to a recent drop in crude oil and gasoline futures prices, which are largely driven by concerns about the economy, following the Fed’s interest rate hike. The U.S. price of oil declined a total of 11% during the past two weeks.

Florida gas prices are 64% more expensive than last year. Although gas prices appear to be declining, prices at the pump this holiday weekend are likely to be the most expensive for the 4th in history. In recent years, the state average price on the July 4th holiday was $3.01 (2021) and $2.68 (2019). On Sunday, the state average was $4.68 per gallon. Daily gas price averages can be found at gasprices.aaa.com.

AAA provided tips for those traveling this holiday weekend:

n Have a plan A, B and C: Flights, car rentals, accommodations, tours, cruises and other activities are in high demand and availability may be limited, which will impact pricing. Finding last-minute deals is unlikely so it’s recommended to look for discounts and rewards.

n B-E-T on a breakdown-free trip: AAA expects to respond to more than 446,000 calls for roadside assistance over the Independence Day holiday weekend. Make sure to get a full vehicle inspection ahead of any long trip but especially for components like a vehicle’s battery, engine and tires. Heat drains car batteries, so summer is a time of unexpected dead batteries. Even a vehicle in top shape can run into an issue so it’s a good idea to pack a well-stocked emergency kit and have roadside assistance just in case.

FHP offers tips

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ division of the Florida Highway Patrol is urging drivers to exercise caution when traveling on Florida roads for a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

“With a predicted record-breaking amount of travel expected over the upcoming holiday weekend, we are urging motorists to drive with caution and obey all Florida traffic laws,” said FLHSMV Executive Director, Terry L. Rhodes, in a release. “The Fourth of July holiday is a great opportunity to gather with friends, family, and loved ones to celebrate our nation’s independence, but please be safe, never drive impaired, and arrive alive this Independence Day.”

According to FHP, in July of 2021, there were nearly 56,000 speeding citations issued to drivers across Florida, and more than 13,000 citations issued for careless driving. FHP troopers will have increased presence on Florida roadways throughout the holiday weekend and will be conducting enforcement operations targeting aggressive and impaired drivers.

“FHP urges all Floridians and visitors to slow down and never drive impaired, especially this Fourth of July Holiday Weekend,” said Colonel Gene S. Spaulding, director of the Florida Highway Patrol, in a statement. “Please ensure you have a plan if you decide to drink and always have a designated driver. If you witness an aggressive or impaired driver, we encourage you to dial *FHP (*347) or 911. The life you save may be your own.”

FHP also offered some additional tips:

• Obey speed limits and practice courtesy on the highway.

• Buckle up. Your seat belt is your vehicle’s best safety feature.

• ATVs and off-road vehicles are to be driven on unpaved roadways — never the highway.

• Don’t drive distracted. Keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and mind on driving.

• Get plenty of rest before you get behind the wheel. Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as impaired driving.

Tow to Go

AAA will be working to keep impaired drivers off the road for Independence Day weekend through its “Tow to Go” program which will be active from 6 p.m. Friday, July 1, to 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 5.

When called, AAA will dispatch a tow truck to transport the would-be impaired driver and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10 mile radius. The service is free, yet AAA asks that it be treated as a backup plan of last resort.

Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes every day – that’s one person every 52 minutes.

Tow to Go guidelines are:

• Free and available to AAA members and non-members.

• Confidential local ride for one person and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10 mile radius.

• Appointments cannot be scheduled in advance to use Tow to Go. It is designed as a safety net for those that did not plan ahead. Always choose a designated driver before celebrating.

• In some situations, AAA may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual a safe ride home.

• Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions.

Best time to travel?

Based on AAA booking data, July 1 is shaping up to be the busiest day for air travel during the holiday weekend. July 4 is forecast to be the lightest. If you’re flying, plan to arrive several hours early at the airport.

Thursday and Friday before the holiday are anticipated to be peak traffic days on the road.

Drivers should expect the longest travel delays heading into the holiday weekend, particularly during the afternoon on July 1 as commuters leave work early and mix with holiday travelers. Drivers in major U.S. metros could experience double the travel times compared to a normal trip.

“Even with gas hitting record prices, travelers are still eager to hit the road this summer. We expect nationwide travel times to increase about 50% compared to normal. Drivers around major metro areas must be prepared for significantly more delays,” said Bob Pishue, Transportation Analyst, INRIX, in a release. “Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic. Our advice is to avoid traveling on Thursday and Friday afternoon.”

Boating this holiday weekend

According to the Water Sports Foundation, millions of boaters are expected to hit the waters this weekend, including more than 830,000 first-time boat owners who purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in crowds coupled with the number of inexperienced new boaters has caught the attention of the Water Sports Foundation.

“While we are pleased to welcome so many new boaters to the water, we believe it is critical to share important boating safety tips that we know will help reduce incidents and save lives this busy holiday weekend,” said Water Sports Foundation Executive Director Jim Emmons in a release. “We’re anticipating a major wave of inexperienced boaters on the water this Fourth of July holiday and we need everyone — our experienced boaters and our newcomers alike — to plan accordingly and be well prepared.”

Emmons said new boaters should be educated and reminded to avoid potentially hazardous situations. Common mistakes include failing to carry and wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets; overloading the boat; passengers standing or moving while the boat is underway; drinking alcohol; launching fireworks from the boat; and ignoring safe boating operations while trying to avoid long lines at the boat ramp after the fireworks show.

“We want boaters to fully enjoy themselves, have fun and return to the dock safely this holiday weekend,” Emmons continued. “U.S. Coast Guard data and our experience confirms that these tips, when followed, will reduce incidents and maximize the fun.”

According to the Boat Owners Association of The United States, record-high gas prices have many boaters throughout the country saving and waiting for Independence Day to get out on the water, which could result in one of the busiest on-water holidays in decades. Boat US is advising boaters to be prepared and boat safely.

“We are anticipating a tsunami of boaters like never before seen,” said John Condon, vice president of towing services for BoatUS, which operates the nation’s largest on-water towing fleet, TowBoatUS, in a statement. “While trends showed a steep decline in our service calls for assistance since Memorial Day, our members are telling us that they’re waiting until the July Fourth holiday weekend to take their boats out.”

Capt. Clayton Tieman, owner of TowBoatUS Tampa Bay, Florida, which covers more than 120 miles of coastline on the west coast of Florida from southern Tampa Bay north to Cedar Key, is already preparing for what he anticipates to be the busiest July Fourth on record. Tieman has 20 boat captains and 16 boats ready to assist boaters in need. He and his team of captains are already offering advice to families who are planning to go boating during the holiday.

“In these situations, when there are a record number of boats on the water, it’s important to slow down and be patient, whether you are on the water or preparing to launch from a boat ramp,” Tieman said in a release. “We know from experience that boaters run into problems when they try to go too fast.”

For more information go to BoatUS.com/Towing.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj