Increase in travelers, lower gas prices for holiday weekend

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WILKES-BARRE — More area residents will be traveling this Labor Day weekend than have since 2009, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic projections.

Jenny Robinson, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said nearly 45,000 Wilkes-Barre area residents are expected to travel over the holiday weekend.

“This is a small increase of .6 percent from last year, but it’s is the highest projection for the region since 2009, and also Labor Day weekend ranks as the second busiest summer holiday weekend,” Robinson said. “Labor Day is summer’s last hurrah, and travelers can expect busier roads and skies than they did for Memorial Day.”

And the motorists traveling will enjoy the lowest gas prices of the year so far, as they prepare to hit the roads. Robinson said the average price is $3.40 per gallon, compared to $3.54 per gallon in 2013. She said the yearly high was set on May 5 at $3.78 a gallon.

“This is good news for motorists,” says Robinson. “Road trips rock. We don’t anticipate that the holiday will hinder prices from drifting lower.”

In fact, Robinson said gas prices aren’t expected to change over the weekend and in the coming weeks they could go lower.

“There will soon be a changeover to the winter blend gas, which is cheaper to produce,” she said. “Right now, gas prices in the region are at the cheapest for the year so far, making road trips a little more affordable.”

AAA reports that geopolitical tensions remain at the forefront with headlines from Russia, Ukraine and Iraq. However, the agency says concerns of supply disruptions have been largely dismissed, thanks to the relative stability of global supply projections. AAA says the U.S. is approaching its highest annual level of oil production since 1972 and Libya is returning to previous production levels.

Highlights from AAA’s 2014 Wilkes-Barre Region Labor Day forecast:

• Air travel stays about level — more than 3,800 Wilkes-Barre area residents plan to fly to their Labor Day destination. This is just a .4 percent increase from last year.

• As expected, Friday and Monday will be the busiest travel days.

• Nationally, AAA Travel projects 34.7 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday weekend, the highest volume for the holiday since 2008 and a 1.3 percent increase over 2013.

• Consumer spending has surpassed income growth, indicating that Americans are willing to take on debt to finance a vacation.

• National gas average at $3.43 per gallon, down a penny in the last week. Diesel at $3.80, down a penny overnight.

PennDOT reports

As part of the national enforcement initiative — “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” — PennDOT, state police and municipal police are focusing their efforts on reducing alcohol- and drug-related crashes through Labor Day.

PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said, “Although alcohol-related crashes have gradually decreased, drugged-driving crashes and fatalities continue to increase. Both remain our focus though Labor Day and beyond.”

PennDOT statistics show:

• In 2012, here were 3,306 drug-related crashes statewide, with 126 fatalities in those crashes. In 2013, there were 3,267 drug-related crashes statewide with 143 fatalities.

• The same data also shows that alcohol-related crashes decreased from 11,956 in 2012 to 11,023 in 2013. Fatalities in those crashes decreased from 404 in 2012 to 369 in 2013.

• During last year’s Labor Day weekend, there were 150 alcohol-related crashes and two fatalities as well as 47 drug-related crashes and seven fatalities.

• Statewide police statistics show that there were 54,121 driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in 2013, a decrease from 56,317 in 2012. DUI-drug arrests continue to account for a larger percentage of these arrests, with 18,987 such arrests in 2013, an increase from 17,064 in 2012.

PennDOT reminds drivers that the legal blood-alcohol content in Pennsylvania is 0.08 for motorists over the age of 21. Driving under the influence penalties can include jail time, license suspension and fines of between $500 and $5,000.

Pennsylvania’s DUI Task Forces, the Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement statewide will conduct checkpoints and roving patrols as part of the crackdown.

PA Turnpike crack down

Some 2.2 million vehicles are expected to travel the Pennsylvania Turnpike over Labor Day weekend and the State Police plans to crack down on speeding and aggressive driving over the holiday.

According to a news release, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) officials want motorists to stay alert and pay attention to speed limit signs over the four-day Labor Day weekend. With some areas of the Pa. Turnpike now posted at 70 mph, motorists are advised to be aware of where the speed limit is reduced.

Captain Gregory M. Bacher of Pennsylvania State Police Troop T, the unit responsible for patrolling the Pennsylvania Turnpike, said, “Patrols and enforcement efforts will be increased to watch for aggressive driving and ensure holiday-traveler safety.”

To prepare for the higher traffic volume, turnpike roadway maintenance activities will be suspended from Aug. 28 at 3 p.m. until Sept. 3 at 6 a.m. This will allow all travel lanes to be open to traffic except in the case of emergencies.