Gas prices at $4.48 a gallon are seen on a pump display Thursday afternoon on Findlay Road.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
LIMA — Despite the high gas prices that have plagued the country this summer, a record number of motorists are forecast to travel on the highways this Independence Day. With traffic set to surge, drivers planning to hit the road this holiday weekend are urged to practice caution to avoid potential hazards.
AAA has projected that 42 million travelers will drive to their holiday destinations across the country between Thursday and Monday, an uptick from the 41.8 million reported last year. According to AAA, the busiest days for travel will be this Thursday and Friday, and those who are planning to drive this weekend are advised to travel at off-peak times: early in the morning and later in the evening.
But with gas prices so high — AAA reports an average $4.807 cost per gallon across the state Thursday — many Ohioans have shortened their road trips and are seeking holiday destinations within the state. This is good news for Ohio’s tourism industry, said Governor Mike DeWine in a press release.
“This year Ohio is on track to set another tourism record,” said Gov. DeWine. “The diversity of our state — from our beautiful state parks that are always free for visitors, to our charming small towns and our vibrant cities — Ohio offers something for everyone.”
But with so many motorists on the roads, car breakdowns and accidents will surge as well. AAA is expecting nearly half a million calls for roadside assistance over the five-day holiday period.
In case a breakdown does occur, motorists are advised to pack a well-stocked emergency kit in their vehicle. And, with the National Weather Service forecasting high temperatures pushing 90 degrees across the region, it is also important to make sure to pack water for any road trip.
Car malfunctions won’t be the only hazards on Ohio’s roadways. As many pass July 4 at celebrations where alcohol is consumed into the late hours of the night, drunk driving is a major problem that surges yearly around the holidays.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that 5,421 impaired drivers were arrested during last year’s “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” a yearly period stretching from Memorial Day to Labor Day that features heavy traffic and frequent accidents. Further, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 41% of drivers killed over the Fourth of July Weekend across the country from 2016-2020 were driving impaired.
Likewise, the highway patrol will be “cracking down” on impaired driving over its July 4 enforcement period from Friday through Monday, increasing trooper visibility and enforcing its zero-tolerance policy for drunk driving. Motorists are encouraged to dial #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists.
Impaired operation is not only a concern on the roadways, however. Mixing alcohol with another popular holiday activity, boating, can turn a fun day on the water deadly.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is participating in the national Operation Dry Water, pushing for sober boating this summer, as boating under the influence is a foremost cause of injuries and fatalities on the water. BUI is illegal in all states, and the ODNR says that 638 arrests were made over last year’s holiday weekend.
Not only is it dangerous for the boat’s driver to be intoxicated, but for passengers as well, according to the ODNR. Intoxicated passengers are more likely to fall into the water and are less likely to be able to stay afloat during attempted rescues.
Just like the highways, the nation’s waterways will be heavily congested this weekend, making safe operation especially important.
According to the Boat Owners Association of the United States, high fuel prices have forced boaters across the country to be selective when they go out on the water. Many have been saving up to go out on July 4, resulting in what John Condon, vice president of towing services for BoatUS, said will be an unprecedented “tsunami of boaters.”
Caution is not being urged to restrict people’s fun, but to make sure everyone can celebrate safely this weekend. Taking precautions and following safety guidelines, whether on the highway or the lake, will help avoid unnecessary tragedy this holiday.
