More than 34 million Americans will hit the road Memorial Day weekend; a 52% increase from last year. The total number of Americans expected to travel by all means is over 37 million.
This is a good sign that Americans are getting back to their normal lives. We hope people have fun with their families and remember to be safe. Unfortunately we anticipate a lot of accidents with so people on the road; excited to finally get out of the house and travel. We want people to remember to drive safely and plan their trip in advance so they don’t fee rushed.
Peter Abbarno, Attorney with Althauser Rayan Abbarno in Centralia, WA
Already through May 20, 2021, the Washington State Department of Transportation reports over 25,000 collisions with 143 fatalities and over 7,000 injuries. Included in the statistics were over 500 bicycle and pedestrian fatalities and injuries, and 324 involving a motorcycle.
The top rated road trip destinations according to AAA were:
- Las Vegas, NV
- Orlando, FL
- Myrtle Beach, SC
- Denver, CO
- Nashville, TN
If you’re heading out on a road trip, AAA says traffic will be the worst on Thursday, May 27 and Friday, May 28 afternoons. Houston drivers be forewarned, AAA predicts you could see more than three times the delay on the busiest corridors. Other major metros could see double the delay times. And, expect gasoline prices to sour this weekend.
For those who are traveling in the State of Washington, consult the WSDOT Memorial Day weekend traffic volume charts to determine best times to travel on key routes. Due to the closure of the US-Canadian border to non-essential travel, there will not be travel charts for the border crossing. Travelers should also check ahead for any COVID-19 safety requirements at their destinations or stops along the way.
Plan ahead by following these steps, travelers can “know before they go” and plan ahead, whether they’re just traveling across town or across the state:
- Get informed about WSDOT’s online tools, including the WSDOT mobile app, traffic cameras and email alerts.
- Visit online traveler information for traffic, weather and ferry schedules.
- Follow WSDOT’s social media accounts, such as Twitter and Facebook.
- Pre-program your vehicle radio to 530 AM and 1610 AM for highway advisory radio alerts.
- Call 5-1-1 for updated road conditions.
- Have a backup outdoor location if your first choice is full and never park along road shoulders, as this is unsafe for everyone on the roadway.
- Allow extra time for travel to avoid rushing or distraction.
- Carry extra food and water as well as extra masks and hand sanitizer as an added precaution for emergencies or unexpected stops.
The Attorneys and Staff with Althauser Rayan Abbarno wish you and your family a safe Memorial Day holiday. If you are involved in a collision, call our attorneys for a FREE Consultation in Olympia or Centralia at (360) 736-1301 or visit www.CentraliaLaw.com
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