It’s the last holiday weekend of the summer, so it makes sense that Labor Day is one of the busiest driving times of the year.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you hit the road.
Watch for perennial holiday-weekend danger: drunken drivers
This is an issue that comes up year after year: drunk driving on Labor Day weekend.
In 1998, AAA started its "Tow to Go" program to help get drunk drivers off the road, and in the past 18 years, the program has removed about 25,000 impaired drivers from roads across the Southeast, said Matt Nasworthy, AAA traffic safety consultant.
For a drunken driver, trying to operate behind the wheel “is almost like trying to do things underwater,” he said.
“Even if you don’t have a lot of concern for your own well-being, you have to understand that you’re driving a 2,000-pound weapon,” he added.
Nasworthy’s advice: Plan ahead and have a designated driver.
Gas prices are lower than this time last year
The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the U.S. is at $2.21, but we're still in a much better position than we were on Labor Day weekend last year, when the average cost of a gallon of gas in was around $2.45. While lower gas prices may be helpful when it comes to your pocketbook, they aren't so helpful when it comes to your schedule.
That’s because …
Lower gas prices mean more traffic
It's true: When the price of gas goes down, more drivers get on the road. The U.S. Department of Transportation said last month that drivers hit 1.58 trillion miles -- or nearly 250 roundtrips between Pluto and Earth -- just in the first six months of 2016. So expect delays and budget your travel time accordingly.
Check the weather
Before you head out, check the conditions expected at your destination. Then check your vehicle: How is the tread on your tires? Do they need air? How are your windshield wipers? This quick three-point review can help keep you safe and save you time and money on the road.
Consider alternative transportation.
You don't have to drive to get where you're going. If it's somewhere nearby, Uber or Lyft could be the way to go. Or try carpooling. A little planning ahead of time can save you a headache later.
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