Missouri State Highway Patrol warns drivers to be safe during Memorial Day Weekend travel

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – AAA forecasts that more than 44 million Americans will be traveling for Memorial Day Weekend this year, the most in nearly two decades.

Travel is expected to be up 4% this year compared to last year. Of those 44 million, over 38 million will be hitting the roads. That’s why the Missouri State Highway Patrol is warning people to be safe as they hit the state highways this weekend.

“Be expectant that there’s going to be more travelers on the roadway, and again, compliance with state law as you’re driving and courtesy and extending both of those really will go a long way to getting you to your destination safely,” said Sergeant Michael McClure with Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D.

There are a few safety tips you can follow to ensure you get to and from your destination safely. Firstly, be alert and courteous. Let people merge and maintain a safe following and braking distance.

Be aware of people hauling boat trailers. Many will be heading out to the lake.

“It is an addition to the vehicle. It can complicate your driving if you’re not used to pulling a boat, but again, it can obstruct the view of the person behind. So increase your following distance as you’re approaching a vehicle that’s pulling a boat trailer or a big trailer that you may not it’s going to hinder your your vision around them. So increase your following distance, especially behind boat trailers,” said Sgt. McClure.

If you’re looking to travel, consider when you leave. Your peak travel times are going to be Friday afternoon and Monday afternoon.

“What we see is the bookends of a holiday a Friday and a Monday in this case, that’s our peak travel periods, people going to their destination and then obviously in between during that weekend, you’re gonna have more travelers. So yeah, leaving earlier or actually leaving later to get to your destination and maybe leaving a little bit earlier on Monday or even Sunday evening,” said Sgt. McClure.

If you’re looking to drink during the holiday, make sure you’re being smart. Dedicate a sober driver and make a plan ahead of time.

“We want to encourage everyone to plan safety into their holiday weekend. So make those plans ahead of time where you can establish who’s going to be driving and making sure that driver is sober,” said Sgt. McClure.

If you’re looking to hit the lake for the holiday weekend, you can find boating safety tips here. If you’ll be swimming, you can find safe swimming tips here.

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