TAHLEQUAH —
Thanksgiving traffic is expected to increase by about 4 percent compared to last year’s holiday, according to the American Automobile Association.
Officials with AAA estimate 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from their homes over the holiday period from Wednesday, Nov. 23, until Sunday, Nov. 27.
Nearly 573,000 Oklahomans are expected to be among those traveling such distances, a 5.1 increase from those who traveled last year.
AAA said this would be the first time holiday travel has increased among Oklahomans this year, and that 90 percent of the travelers will do so in a motor vehicle.
“Driving AAA’s projected increase in the number of Thanksgiving travelers is pent-up demand among Oklahomans and others across the country who may have foregone holiday travel the past three years,” Chuck Mai, a spokesman for AAA, said in a press release.
“As consumers weigh the fear of economic uncertainty and the desire to create lasting family memories this holiday, more of us are choosing family and friends over frugality.”
Alice Collinsworth, communications manager for the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, said drivers and passengers should take extra precautions.
“Law enforcement officers across the state will be out in force during the holiday,” Collinsworth said. “They’ll be watching for drivers who are impaired, who are breaking the speed limit, or who are distracted, and they also will be enforcing seat-belt laws. The goal is to save lives and to make sure everyone arrives safely at their holiday destination.”
Last year in Oklahoma, 546 crashes were reported and six people were killed over the Thanksgiving holiday, she said. More than 325 people were injured, and four of the six fatalities were in alcohol-related crashes.
Collinsworth said those who plan to drink should also plan to establish a non-drinking driver.
All children in the vehicle should be placed in age-appropriate car seats, and all adults should also be buckled up.
“If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement or dial star (*) 55 from any cell phone to alert the Oklahoma Highway Patrol,” said Collinsworth.
She also suggests putting away cell phones and other electronic devices while driving.
Local News
Thanksgiving traffic expected to increase
- Local News
-
-
Help’s on the way
Stories of heroism are surfacing in the wake of Monday’s deadly Moore tornado, and local residents are mobilizing to aid survivors.
-
Berry crops will be late this year
Cold weather has delayed the blueberry and blackberry harvest in the local area.
-
Hulbert man held on rape charges
A Hulbert man remained behind bars Tuesday on allegations of first-degree rape.
Samuel “Sammy” C. Brave, 29, is held on an $80,000 bond. -
Local man picked up on meth charge
A Tahlequah man bonded out of jail Tuesday, a day after he was arrested by police for possession of methamphetamine.
-
Summer camps to keep kids occupied
Homework and other end-of-school activities are completed or are wrapping up for the summer, but students will have plenty to do over the break, with camps and other fun and educational events scheduled through August.
-
Traditions in song
After European contact, many American Indian tribes embraced Christianity, weaving it into their own traditions.
-
Two nabbed, stolen items discovered
Reports of suspicious activity Sunday evening led to the arrest of two men and the discovery of a cache stolen items on Seneca Street.
-
Man arrested for explosives at AmeriGas
Federal authorities took into custody Monday a man accused of possessing explosive materials at AmeriGas earlier this month.
-
Girl found lying in road after assault
Investigators are looking into the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl who was found lying in a road west of Hulbert Saturday afternoon.
-
Residents oppose new construction
Community residents gathered during Monday night’s special city council meeting to oppose a request that would allow for construction of apartment buildings near East Allen Road and North Cedar Avenue, south of the Bertha Parker bypass.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
