Thanksgiving Travel 2020: Worst Times To Drive In Florida
FLORIDA — Whether you are traveling across the state, down the street or having a socially distanced drive-by celebration this Thanksgiving, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles urges all drivers and their passengers to buckle up and eliminate distractions.
According to AAA, 2.6 million Floridians are forecast to drive during the Thanksgiving holiday. While Floridians are expected to travel less this holiday, the majority who do travel will drive, accounting for almost 95 percent of holiday travelers.
“As we begin to reflect on all that we are grateful for, our loved ones’ safety and well-being is often top of the list,” said Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “This Thanksgiving, please give the gift of safety to your loved ones by always buckling up, never driving impaired and putting down the distractions when driving.”
According to the department's Thanksgiving crash and citation data, last year there were 10,183 crashes in Florida during the Thanksgiving holiday from the Friday before Thanksgiving until the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Of those crashes, 392 resulted in serious injuries and 98 were fatal.
Between Nov. 25-29, all available Florida Highway Patrol troopers, along with reserve and auxiliary members, will patrol the roads to help ensure safe travel.
“As we travel to gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, please allow sufficient time to get to your destination, buckle up, obey the speed limits and never drive impaired,” said Col. Gene S. Spaulding, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Remember, you are sharing the road with our loved ones. Let’s work together to make sure everyone has a blessed holiday season.”
One way to reduce accidents is to avoid traveling at peak hours.
That's going to be easier this year, said AAA, because fewer people will be on he roads and flying out of airports this year due to coronavirus health concerns and high unemployment.
With health officials and government leaders stressing that staying at home is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick, AAA anticipates at least a 10 percent drop in travel – the largest one-year decrease since the Great Recession in 2008. See the AAA Holiday 2020 Forecast for more information.
AAA expects up to 50 million Americans to travel for Thanksgiving – a drop from 55 million in 2019. However, as the holiday approaches and Americans monitor the public health landscape, including rising coronavirus-positive case numbers, renewed quarantine restrictions and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s travel health notices, AAA expects the actual number of holiday travelers will be even lower.
“The wait-and-see travel trend continues to impact final travel decisions, especially for the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president, AAA Travel. “The decision to travel is a personal one. For those who are considering making a trip, the majority will go by car, which provides the flexibility to modify holiday travel plans up until the day of departure.”
For Americans who make the personal decision to travel for the holiday, it is important to know the risks involved and ways to keep yourself and others safe. In addition to CDC guidance, travelers should also be aware of local and state travel restrictions, including testing requirements and quarantine orders. See AAA's coronavirus travel restrictions map.
Those who decide to travel are likely to drive shorter distances and reduce the number of days they are away, making road trips the dominant form of travel this Thanksgiving. Travel by automobile is projected to fall 4.3 percent, to 47.8 million travelers and account for 95 percent of all holiday travel.
Best And Worst Travel Times
According to Google Maps Search Trends, these are the best and worst times to travel on the roads in Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday:
Miami:
Before Thanksgiving
Best Time: Wednesday 4 a.m.
Worst Time: Wednesday 4 p.m.
After Thanksgiving
Best Time: Friday 4 a.m.
Worst Time: Friday 3 p.m.
Tampa:
Before Thanksgiving
Best Time: Wednesday 4 a.m.
Worst Time: Wednesday 4 p.m.
After Thanksgiving
Best Time: Friday 4 a.m.
Worst Time: Saturday 4 p.m.
Before you head out, be sure your vehicle is ready for the trip to avoid a breakdown along the way.
AAA expects to rescue more than 413,000 Americans at the roadside this Thanksgiving. AAA makes it easy to request assistance – by phone, app or online – and members can track the service technician’s progress as they make their way to your vehicle.
Air Travel
AAA anticipates Thanksgiving air travel volume will be down by nearly half of prior years – to 2.4 million travelers. This would be the largest one-year decrease on record.
For these travelers, AAA notes holiday airfares are the lowest in three years. If flying, AAA reminds air travelers that in-flight amenities, including food and beverage services, may not be available. Also, as a precaution, wipe down your seat, armrest, belt buckle and tray table using disinfecting wipes.
Other Modes
Travel by other modes, including buses, trains and cruiseships is expected to decline 76 percent, to 353,000 travelers, as cruise ships remain docked and more travelers opt for car trips instead of risking contact with the public by taking buses or trains.
What To Know Before You Go
Plan Ahead. Check with state and local authorities where you are, along your route, and at your planned destination to learn about local circumstances and any restrictions that may be in place.
Minimize Stops: To minimize the number of stops along the way, pack meals, extra snacks and drinks in addition to an emergency roadside kit.
Follow Public Health Guidance. Consistent use of face masks combined with social distancing (at least 6 feet) and regular handwashing are the best ways to lower your risk of contracting the coronavirus. Be sure to pack face masks, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and a thermometer to help protect and monitor your health. Also pack water and extra snacks to reduce the need to stop along your trip.
Verify Before You Go. Call ahead to minimize any last-minute surprises.
If renting a car, ask what has been done to clean the vehicle. Hertz, for example, has introduced Hertz Gold Standard Clean, an enhanced vehicle disinfectant and sanitization process. For extra peace of mind, use disinfecting wipes to wipe down door handles, steering wheels, shifters and control panels.
Prior to any hotel stay, call ahead to ensure your hotel is open and ask what precautions they are taking to protect guests. Ask about social distancing protocols like capacity reductions in common spaces, hotel staff requirements to wear masks at all times and if all amenities are available, like restaurant dining.
Helpful AAA Resources. Use TripTik.AAA.com to plan your road trip and help determine which rest stops, gas stations, restaurants and hotels are open along your route.
Additionally, the Florida Department of Highway Safety offers these recommendations:
Never drive impaired. Celebrate responsibly and do not get behind the wheel if you have been drinking or have taken a drug that cause impairment. Plan ahead and find a safe way home every time – designate a driver or use a ride service.
Check your tires. Tires are a vehicle’s first line of defense on the road. Check your tire pressure, tread depth and spare tire especially before long trips. Do not overload your vehicle; it can result in premature wear and tire blowouts.
Buckle up. A seat belt is your vehicle’s most important safety feature. Florida law requires that all drivers, all front-seat passengers and all passengers under the age of 18 wear seat belts or the appropriate child restraints.
Register or update your Emergency Contact Information. ECI is a secure system allowing law enforcement nationwide to contact designated family or friends in response to an emergency situation.
Observe and obey all speed limits. Speed limits may change as you drive through different types of roadways, so make sure you adjust your speed accordingly. In Florida, the limit will never be over 70 mph.
Check traffic conditions. Before leaving for a trip, check traffic conditions and allow sufficient time to arrive at your destination safely. You can check traffic conditions in Florida by visiting FL511.com.
Eliminate distractions. Always remember to keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and mind on driving.
Be Aware. The public is encouraged to report aggressive or impaired drivers by dialing *FHP (*347) and
The Florida Department of Highway Safety offers a downloadable Holiday Road Trip Checklist and Safety Tips.
This article originally appeared on the Tampa Patch
