Published on Saturday, July 1, 2006
in the Tallahassee Democrat

America ready to hit the highway

Soaring gas prices won't deter motorists this year, with the American Automobile Association predicting 2.1 million drivers crowding Florida highways for the long Fourth of July weekend.

"What this tells us is that people are still so determined to enjoy their holiday vacation that they're not going to let anything interfere," AAA Auto Club South managing director Gregg Laskoski said Friday.

The average price of a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline in Tallahassee was $2.83 on Friday, up from $2.22 on the same day last year, Laskoski said. Gas prices are steep, but they represent only 5 percent of a typical weekend travel budget, with most money going for lodging and food, Laskoski said.

Nationwide, 40.7 million people will travel at least 50 miles from their home for the holiday, AAA estimates. That's a 1 percent increase over last year.

The Florida Highway Patrol is gearing up for the increase. Depending on the time of day, between 100 and 200 additional uniformed troopers will on the highway, said Maj. Ernie Duarte.

FHP gave up predicting the number of traffic fatalities before a major holiday several years ago. Last year, FHP logged 31 traffic fatalities, with 13 of the fatal crashes alcohol related, Duarte said. The same figures show that 42 percent of the fatal crashes occurred after dark and 22 of those killed were not wearing available safety belts.

Because the Fourth of July comes in the middle of the week this year, longer driving hours could contribute to a higher death rate, Durate said.

"We're keeping our fingers crossed," he said. "The raw numbers are most likely going to exceed the 31."

Fourth of July revelers begin their celebrations earlier in the day, Duarte said, and motorists are more likely to see weaving and erratic driving in the early afternoons. Drivers with cell phones can dial "*FHP" to report suspected drunken or impaired drivers, Duarte said.

Motorists who want to beat the congestion can take advantage of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' "511" travel alert system. Automated responses can direct drivers around traffic snarls and a Web site at FL511.com features traffic updates and live video of some of the heavier traveled routes, including I-4 in the Orlando area and I-95 in the Daytona Beach area.

"You can actually see what the cameras see on I-4," said department spokeswoman Adrianne Kahler. "That's relatively new."