Heaviest Memorial Day traffic in 10 years?

Don’t pretend you aren’t already thinking about Memorial Day weekend.

The good news is, you don’t have to worry about construction-related lane closures in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending lane closures on interstate and major state system highways beginning at noon Friday until 5 a.m. Tuesday.

The bad news is, AAA is predicting the heaviest auto travel for the holiday weekend in ten years — a 5.3 percent increase compared to last year. The uptick is due in part to gas prices that remain low compared to years past. If average prices nationally hold steady over the next few days, they will be the cheapest for Memorial Day weekend in at least five years.

With traffic deaths in Georgia up an average of 25% compared to last year, it bears repeating that all drivers should (pleasefortheloveofGod) wear seat belts, stay off the phone and focus on driving. Also, GDOT advises that in the event of a crash or breakdown, never get out of the car on the freeway unless your life is in imminent danger. Stay seat-belted, turn on emergency flashers, and wait for help.

Visit www.511ga.org or call 511 for live information about travel conditions in Georgia.

About the Author

Andria Simmons

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