LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — As Labor Day weekend comes to a close, many trips are also ending, and it's important to keep in mind that you're sharing the road with others.
AAA says the best time to leave on Monday is before 8:00 a.m. The worst time is between 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
“I’m hoping that Monday, Labor Day, won’t be as bad,” said Dana Melroy, who drove to Lexington from West Virginia to attend a dog show. “I think I’ll be lucky if I can make it to the speed limit, and I think we’ll have a lot of traffic because we won’t get there until 12:30 p.m., probably the earliest, just because it depends on the results of the show.”
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Melroy says she still relies on travel apps to help her navigate traffic.
According to AAAThe organization plans to rescue 300,000 stranded drivers across the country. According to the organization, the top three reasons drivers get stranded are flat tires, dead batteries, and door jams. However, it says you can avoid getting stranded by inspecting your vehicle before you hit the road and carrying an extra set of keys.
If you have a problem with your vehicle, AAA advises you to pull off the highway, turn on your hazard lights, call for help, and stay in your vehicle. Driving off the road could cause more problems and put your own safety at risk.
“Tomorrow (Labor Day) is probably going to be as busy as the day you leave, so you’re going to want to leave as early as possible,” said Kentucky State Trooper Corey King. “This is a good time to take those precautions when you’re traveling with a lot more other travelers. So there are more drivers sharing the road, which unfortunately increases your chances of being involved in some sort of accident.”
The king also said it was important for everyone's safety to monitor motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians and farmers using machinery on the road.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet The annual survey of fatal accidents reveals that this year, so far, 455 people have lost their lives on the roads. The survey also indicates that 17% of the drivers killed were drunk drivers and that 47% of the drivers were not wearing a seat belt.
“If you start to lose your train of thought while you’re driving, maybe you drift off and think about something else, that’s probably a good opportunity to pull over, go to a gas station, walk around. Maybe get some caffeine or something to eat. That will temporarily recharge you,” King says of the dangers of driving while tired.
At the end of the day, make a plan to get safely from point A to point B, wear your seat belt, and give yourself plenty of time on the road.
