AAA 2024

AAA: Thanksgiving Is the Biggest Holiday for Travel — Best Times to Avoid Traffic, Lines, Crowds

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AAA projects a record 79.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. For the first time, AAA’s forecast includes the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day to better capture the flow of holiday travelers. This year’s projection of nearly 80 million travelers is an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019. “Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and AAA continues to see demand soar post-pandemic as Americans reconnect with family and friends and seek memorable trips to new destinations,” said Lauren Fabrizi, spokesperson for AAA Northeast. Best and Worst Times to Drive
The worst times to travel by car over Thanksgiving are Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, according to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights.

Healthy Living
AAA Northeast Drowsy Driving

AAA: Actual Drowsy Driving Deaths Are 10X More Than Previously Estimated — Here’s What You Can Do

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Fatalities in car crashes are 10 times higher than previously estimated, according to a new study by the American Automobile Association. As clocks spring forward for Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, the risk of drowsy driving crashes will also jump. — an announcement from AAA Northeast
Research has found that crashes tend to increase in the days following the spring time change as drivers get behind the wheel while sleep-deprived and with their circadian rhythms out of whack. Previous AAA studies have outlined the risks associated with drowsy driving: drivers who slept for less than five hours the night before may have a crash risk comparable to driving drunk, and losing just a couple hours of sleep can double the risk of a crash. Official statistics on the prevalence of drowsy driving have long been underestimated, since most drivers don’t admit to being drowsy after a collision.

Safe Driving 2024
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Tech for Backing Up Your Car Safely Fails Most of the Time, AAA Says — Do This Instead

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Don’t rely solely on technology to make it safer to back up your car, the American Automobile Association warns. Tests show that technology fails to prevent crashes with children half of the time — and hardly ever avoids colliding with an oncoming car. — an announcement from AAA Northeast

“Our tests show that reverse automatic emergency braking [AEB] has clear benefits,” said Alec Slatky, managing director of public and government affairs for AAA Northeast. “But it’s no substitute for an attentive driver.”

Backing unsafely is a serious issue: From 2018-22, more than 33,000 crashes across Connecticut listed “backing” as the vehicle maneuver, according to the UConn Crash Data Repository. Over 2,400 of those crashes resulted in injury and 10 resulted in a fatality.

Healthy Living
Safe Driving Winter Driving Tips Snow Road

Advice from AAA on Driving in Bad Winter Weather

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The American Automobile Association is reminding drivers that Tuesday’s snowfall requires motorists to reduce their speeds and be extra cautious when out on the roads, and the AAA has advice on driving safely. — an announcement from AAA Northeast
In Connecticut, there were more than 1,100 speed-related crashes that occurred in snow or sleet in 2022, the last full year of data. It’s also a time to be vigilant about scanning the sides of the roadway for pedestrians who might be avoiding snow-covered sidewalks and shoulders. Nearly half of all bad-weather related crashes happen in the winter – even as many people take the advice to stay home and wait for snowfall to stop before driving. Nationally, wet, snowy and sloppy roads are a factor in nearly a half-million crashes every year during the winter months, according to AAA research.