AAA believes the number of holiday
travelers will top 100
million for the first time ever.
According to the auto club, nearly one-third of Americans, 100.5 million, will travel at least 50 miles between Dec. 23 and Jan. 3, 2016, an increase over last year and the seventh consecutive year of travel growth for the holiday season.
AAA claims the increase in holiday travel this year is due to improvement in the labor market, rising incomes and lower gas prices. This helps boost individual’s disposable income, creating more money to spend on lodging, eating out and buying presents.
AAA said driving remains people’s number one choice of holiday travel, with more than 90 percent of travelers driving to their destinations.
Air travel is expected to increase by 0.7 percent this holiday season, with 5.8 million flying.
AAA Says Gas To Remain Cheap; Impaired Driving a Concern
The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Georgia is expected to remain below the $2 per gallon mark through the rest of the year, a factor that contributes to the large number of people opting to take road trips to visit friends and family for the holidays.
AAA is expressing concerns about drunk driving during the holiday travel season. Obviously, this time of year includes more holiday parties, alcohol and people traveling to work and social events.
One in five licensed drivers who drink admit to at least occasionally driving after drinking. Although the alcohol limit is .08, drivers can be impaired and cause accidents with lower BACs. It’s just not worth the huge risks. Have fun this holiday season, but don’t drink and drive.
