According to the American Automobile Association, or AAA, there will be 41.4 million people on traveling by car to reach their destination during the long holiday weekend. The AAA says that, at least since it began tracking these statistics back in 2000, this is the highest number of travelers taking to the highways.
Additionally, the AAA predicts there will be slightly more people, about 0.06%, using a form of mass transit, including buses, to reach their destinations. More people are also expected to fly during the holiday.
The number of people traveling during the holiday weekend overall will increase by just over 4%, meaning that there will be almost 2 million more people on the roads or taking other forms of transportation.
More people traveling on the roads will first off mean a higher likelihood of traffic jams. For instance, in nearby Atlanta, experts are predicting that motorists may have to spend 2.5 hours on the road for every 1 hour they would travel under normal conditions.
Traffic congestion can pose additional hazards to drivers. For example, an inattentive motorist who is not expecting a backup can easily slam in to the rear of other vehicles at a high speed.
Moreover, statistically speaking, having more vehicles on the road means that there is an increased chance of motor vehicle accidents. Especially during this busy travel season, and throughout the summer, it is important for drivers in Georgia to pay careful attention to their driving, to operate at a reasonable speed, and of course to drive sober. It is also important for them to keep a cool head during traffic congestion and not make any careless or reckless maneuvers out of anger.
Those who do have the misfortune of getting injured in a car accident over the holiday may have legal options for pursuing compensation.