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

Georgia honors women in uniform amid debate over their roles in combat

Females in uniform like Amy Stevens are being recognized in Atlanta parade, history exhibit and Georgia hall of fame before Veterans Day as combat roles for women are debated.

UPS warns of delivery delays after its plane crash at Louisville hub

The disruption of operations at UPS’ largest hub continues to have some effects, while an investigation and recovery operation continue at the Louisville crash site.

Louisville plane crash response in ‘recovery mode,’ UPS operations disrupted

12 are confirmed dead, believed to include a child, according to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. They do not expect to find survivors at this point, he said.

The Latest