Wednesday afternoon traffic is nothing compared to the non-stop traffic that will decend on I-95 South this Labor Day weekend. | Staff Photo Joe Centanni
“We want everyone to have a good Labor Day weekend and enjoy their family and friends, but be safe,” said 1st Sgt. Freddy Johnson of the state Highway Patrol.
AAA Carolinas said more than 861,000 motorists will travel more than 50 miles from home this weekend.
The Highway Patrol advises motorists to play it safe on the busy roadways.
Alcohol, speed and not wearing seat belts were contributing factors in two traffic fatalities last Labor Day weekend in Robeson County, according to Johnson.
“We are going to be out in full force and we want to remind folks not to drink and drive,” Johnson said, adding that travelers should “have a designated driver, obey the speed limits and wear your seat belts.
“Allow plenty of time to get where you have to be, stop and take breaks, and switch drivers if you need to,” he said.
Johnson said motorists can go to the North Carolina Department of Transportation website for a list of rest areas and people should report dangerous drivers to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP star on any cell phone.
Booze It & Lose It — the Governor’s Highway Safety Program — cited 1,291 motorists with driving while impaired during the July Foruth weekend. it will assist local law enforcement and establish checkpoints around the state this weekend, according to AAA Carolinas.
“This is our Booze It & Lose It weekend and we will have zero tolerance for people driving impaired,” Johnson said.
Gas prices
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the state is currently $2.58, down 11 cents from the summer high of $2.69 and 16 cents lower than prices were Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA Carolinas. The cheapest gasoline in the state can be found in Fayetteville at $2.54 per gallon and prices peak at $2.65 per gallon in Boone.
Both North Carolina and South Carolina’s state average gas prices remain below the national average of $2.70 per gallon. Prices in North Carolina and South Carolina are down anywhere from 10 to 25 cents per gallon from Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA Carolinas Labor Day Gasoline Prices in the Carolinas chart.
“Travel by Carolinians has been increasing all year and this holds true for the last vacation of the summer,” said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas.
It is unknown what effect Hurricane Earl will have on traveler’s plans this weekend — all statistics were determined before the hurricane began — but AAA Carolinas cautions all drivers who are traveling down the coast this weekend to pay attention to forecasts, warnings and evacuation notices before beginning their trip.
Beach-goers could experience dangerous rip currents, so they are advised to enter the ocean with caution.
Delays can be expected due to bridge replacement on U.S. 17 Business in Jacksonville, construction on U.S. 17 in Windsor and concrete replacement on Glenwood Avenue/U.S. 70 in Raleigh, according to AAA Carolinas.
For further information on traffic and delays, motorists are encouraged to check www.ncdot.org/traffictravel for up-to-the-minute updates.
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