State Agencies Issue Holiday
Travel Advisory
AAA expecting second-highest travel volume
on record this Thanksgiving
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[November 26, 2019]
When traveling over the river and through the woods, whether by car,
train or plane, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and
Illinois State Police want you to utilize smart travel tips to help
you reach your destination.
AAA says it is expecting the second-highest Thanksgiving travel
volume to date with more than 55 million travelers this year. This
Thanksgiving, 49.3 million Americans are expected to travel by
automobile, which would be the most since 2005 and a 2.8% increase
from last year.
Before setting out on a trip, check the latest weather conditions
along your travel route and make sure tires, wipers, and lights are
in good condition. Start your trip with a full tank of gas, provide
your itinerary to a friend, relative or co-worker, and if possible,
travel during daylight hours on main roads. While on the road, be
prepared to turn back and seek shelter if conditions become
threatening. Keep windows clear of snow and ice and adjust speed for
road conditions.
“Preparedness is the key component to surviving any emergency or
disaster,” said Acting IEMA Director, Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “Whether
its winter travel or severe weather preparedness, just a few minutes
of preparation today can keep you and your family safe, all
year-round.”
Now is also the time to equip your car with a winter car survival
kit stocked with items that can keep you safe and warm if you should
become stranded alongside a road.
A car survival kit should include the following:
-
Cell
phone and charger
-
First aid kit
-
Water and high-calorie, non-perishable food
-
Boots, hats, gloves and extra clothing to keep dry
-
Blanket
-
Crank radio and flashlight
-
Sack
of sand or cat litter
-
Shovel
-
Windshield scraper and brush
-
Tool
kit and tow rope
-
Booster cables
-
Compass and road maps
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This year, the state police have issued nearly 6,000 Move Over citations, over
6,400 driving under the influence citations and 10,600 distracted driving
citations.
As travelers prepare for the holiday, the Illinois State Police urge motorists
to buckle up, put down your phone and move over for emergency vehicles.
"Thanksgiving should be a time of togetherness to create lasting, happy
memories. During the holiday weekend as families travel to be together, the
Illinois State Police (ISP) will increase patrols in order to make the roadways
safer for you and your loved ones," ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly said.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2019/Nov/26/images/ads/current/farmers_bank_sda_prom_050614.png)
“This year alone, the ISP family has suffered the loss of four Troopers--the
most in ISP history. Three of these tragedies were the direct result of either
impaired driving, disobeying the ‘Move Over’ laws, or a combination of the two.
And no one should suffer the tragedy of unnecessary and preventable loss,
especially during the holidays,” he concluded.
An approaching storm system could bring heavy snow, mixed precipitation and rain
to portions of the Midwest. All travelers are encouraged to check the forecast
and road conditions before hitting the road. Know before you go by visiting
www.gettingaroundillinois.com.
Also, check your smartphone settings to ensure wireless emergency alerts (WEAs)
are enabled to ensure you receive important weather information for your
location, even if you are traveling outside your home county or state.
If traveling by plane for the holidays, be sure to review the Transportation
Security Administration’s (TSA) security screening tips. When packing for your
flights, consider a small emergency kit that includes a flashlight and spare USB
power bank.
Additional information on emergency preparedness is available on the Ready
Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.
gov.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |