With the official start of Memorial Day weekend on Friday, law enforcement anticipates a busy summer travel season. According to AAA, an estimated 38.4 million travelers were expected to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, and another 5.4 million were expected to travel by air and other means.
Those 43.8 million travelers represent a 4% increase over last year and come close to matching 2005’s record of 44 million Memorial Day travelers.
“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”
Georgia’s public safety commissioner, Col. William Hitchens, wants drivers to safely get where they’re going.
“We encourage everyone to enjoy time with their friends and families over the holiday period, but please remember to put safety first. Slow down, obey the speed limit, be a courteous driver, and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination,” said Hitchens.
According to travel data analysis company INRIX, the worst times to travel are Sunday, May 26, and Monday, May 27, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The best times to travel on Sunday are before 1 p.m. and Monday after 7 p.m.
RELATED Holiday traffic fatalities
Historical stats and safety tips
State and local law enforcement is out in force this weekend watching for distracted drivers and other traffic violators.
During the 2023 Memorial Day holiday weekend, troopers issued more than 13,000 citations, made more than 380 DUI arrests, and investigated over 500 crashes that resulted in more than 300 injuries and 11 fatalities.
He said the highest number of traffic deaths during a Memorial Day holiday weekend happened in 1969, when 27 people died in car crashes. The Georgia Department of Public Safety began keeping statistics on the Memorial Day holiday travel period in 1969.
The agency released a list of tips for drivers and passengers to help them stay safe during the holiday weekend. They said drivers should slow down, obey traffic laws and signals, not drive impaired, make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt, and show common courtesy to other drivers and pedestrians.
Drivers are also asked to pay attention to large trucks and buses, leave extra space when merging, and be patient. The agency also stressed the importance of not using hand-held cell phones while driving.
