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By Cass Rains, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle ENID ? More people are expected to hit the road during this holiday season than have traveled in the previous five years. AAA forecasts 91.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home over ...
AAA forecasts 91.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home over the upcoming Christmas and New Year?s holiday period, the highest number since 2006. The holiday period runs from Friday to Jan. 2.
In Oklahoma, overall travel is predicted to increase 2.8 percent over last year, with 787,500 Oklahomans traveling by motor vehicle over the holidays, a 3.2 percent jump compared to 2010 figures.
?It?s a positive sign for the travel industry that so many Oklahomans are planning to travel this holiday season,? said Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma. ?Gasoline prices have come down off their late summer/early fall highs and some economic indicators, such as the real gross domestic product, are showing signs of life.?
With the increased traffic expected on the roads nationwide, law enforcement officials are advising drivers to allow extra time for their traveling and follow a few other simple tips to remain safe.
Enid Police Department Lt. Warren Wilson said motorists should plan their trips in advance, checking road and weather conditions between here and their destination.
?Be weather aware,? he said. ?Reduce your speed if roads are wet or icy, and travel at a speed safe for the conditions of the road.?
Before hitting the road, Wilson said motorists should let someone know when to expect them and what route they will be taking. Travelers also should have a plan in case of a vehicle breakdown.
Travelers should check their vehicles before traveling, including tire tread, tire pressure, wiper blades, battery connections and fluid levels under the hood, such as engine oil, brake fluid, automatic transmission fluid, antifreeze and windshield washer fluid.
?Whether you are planning a local day trip or long distance year-end holiday travel, breaking down is a real mood-buster,? Mai, the AAA Oklahoma spokesman said. ?Timely vehicle maintenance is the solution.?
AAA projects its roadside problem-solvers will be able to remedy the issues of more than three out of five stranded motorists at the scene of the breakdown and send them on their way, but almost 40 percent will need a tow.
After the need for a tow, the second most common roadside rescue service AAA anticipates performing is replacing or jump-starting dead batteries, followed by getting members back into locked cars, changing flat tires, performing extrications and delivering fuel.
Motorists can avoid the causes of many roadside breakdowns simply by keeping their vehicles properly maintained. Check the strength of batteries, make sure tires have adequate tread and are properly inflated, top off all fluids under the hood and make sure belts and hoses are not worn or cracked.
Follow the vehicle manufacturer?s recommended maintenance schedule and make sure the car is ready for the rigors of year-end holiday driving, Mai said.
Copyright 2011 The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.