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.

Fourth of July 2024
DWI Driving while intoxicated

Do Your Country and Yourself a Favor: Patriots Don’t Drive Buzzed

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There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day in Connecticut. Spending time getting your mugshot is one of the worst, and getting into a car crash is even worse. — an announcement from AAA Northeast
Revelry mixed with high traffic volume over the holiday period can bring an increased crash risk, especially crashes involving drivers impaired by alcohol. AAA projects a record 60.6 million people will travel by car over Independence Day week – an additional 2.8 million travelers compared to last year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 487 people died in traffic crashes during the 2022 Fourth of July holiday period, and 40% of those fatalities occurred in drunk driving crashes.

AAA Northeast 2024
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Booking a Plane Ticket? Morning Flights Are Less Likely To Be Delayed, Says AAA

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The Transportation Security Administration is prepared for 270 million air passengers across the country during this summer’s travel season — the highest volume the agency has seen. But what does the record number of flights mean for air travelers? An increased risk of delays and cancellations compared to the rest of the year. — an announcement from AAA Northeast

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, across the United States, from June to August 2023, nearly 73% of flights departed on time, compared to roughly 80% throughout all of 2023. Early flights are more likely to depart as scheduled.

Healthy Living

Tips for Families When Talking With Older Drivers About Safe Driving

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May is Older Americans Month—the perfect opportunity for families with older drivers to talk about safe driving and help ensure loved ones can stay active and mobile as they age. — an announcement from AAA Northeast
The United States population is increasingly getting older: between 2013 and 2023, the number of adults aged 65 and older increased by 34 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Meanwhile, in 2022, there were more than 51 million licensed drivers aged 65 and up—an increase of 20 million since 2000, according to the latest statistics from the Federal Highway Administration. In Connecticut, there were 590,000 licensed drivers age 65+, including 124,000 drivers age 80+. While AAA research shows that older drivers are less likely to engage in risky driving behaviors such as speeding or driving while impaired, seniors — particularly those over 80 years old — are more frail and more vulnerable to serious or fatal injuries in crashes.

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.