More drivers expected to take to the road over July Fourth holiday
More drivers are expected to take advantage of a three-day weekend and take to the road for the July Fourth holiday. And drivers should be aware of an increased presence of Pennsylvania state troopers on the lookout for impaired and aggressive drivers.
AAA is forecasting nationwide that 35.5 million travelers will drive during the holiday period, a 0.7 percent increase from last year. The total amount of people traveling on roads or taking to the skies and rails will be the highest since 2007. Gas prices are at their lowest in the last five years. In the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, 4.89 million will travel by vehicle, an increase from 2014.
“With school out for the summer, it’s common that the July Fourth weekend is the busiest time for summer travel,” said Jim Lehman, AAA East Central president. “Gas prices also play a role in the amount of people packing up their cars and driving to their holiday destinations.”
State police also are expecting more drivers on the road this holiday.
“Generally, when gas prices are down more people travel by vehicle,” said Trooper Matt Jardine, public information officer for Troop B. “Over the holiday, there will be extra patrols looking for impaired or aggressive drivers, especially in the areas where there are a high number of traffic violations or crashes.”
Jardine said state police are looking to keep drivers and their passengers safe. During last year’s July Fourth holiday, eight people were killed and 247 people injured in crashes investigated across Pennsylvania by state police. State troopers investigated 695 crashes between July 3 and 6, 2014. Of those crashes, 72 were alcohol-related wrecks that resulted in two fatalities. Of the eight overall deaths, two people were not wearing seat belts.
There will be at least three DUI sobriety checkpoints in the Troop B area this holiday weekend, which includes Washington, Greene, Allegheny, Fayette and part of Westmoreland counties. At least one of those checkpoints will be in Washington County. Troopers also will also be running at least five roving DUI checkpoints, Jardine added.
Troopers also will be monitoring traffic on Interstate 70 and Interstate 79, particularly in the area of the Murtland Avenue construction site in South Strabane Township. Last year, troopers across Pennsylvania arrested 487 people for drunken driving.
Troopers also will crack down on speeding and aggressive and distracted drivers, and will be on the lookout for seat belt violations. Last year, troopers across Pennsylvania issued 9,646 speeding citations during the holiday travel period.