Friday, March 29, 2024
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Thanksgiving Travel

Thanksgiving-Travel-InsuranceAs you and your family prepare to go over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house, this Thanksgiving you will not be alone. Thanksgiving weekend is the most traveled time of the year.

The auto club, AAA estimates 46.3 million people will be traveling 50 miles or more over the Thanksgiving weekend, the highest volume of travelers since 2007. Close to 90 percent or 41.3 million of those travelers will be on the road.

“As the economy stabilizes a bit and gas prices drop significantly, families feel encouraged to travel,” says Dustyn Shroff Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance.

Gas prices are currently the lowest they have been in five years, with the national average costing $2.85 per gallon.  High U.S. oil and gas production rates along with lower global crude prices are responsible for the drop in gas prices.

AAA also reports air travel is on the rise with 3.55 million taking to the skies, despite an air fare price increase of one percent from last year. Mid-range hotels have increased 8 percent with rental cars costing 10 percent more.

The University of Alabama Center for Advanced Public Safety studied driving patterns over the Thanksgiving holiday. Researchers found Thanksgiving Day is the best day to travel because the fewest amount of cars are on the road. Wednesday between 2-5pm is the most congested time to be on the roads. Avoid traveling during these times if possible. They also recommend leaving earlier in the day to help ease your traffic woes. Congestion and accidents are at their highest in the late afternoon and evening.

Traffic is not the only cause for crashes, the study found car wrecks caused by alcohol, deer and bad weather are more common during Thanksgiving weekend. While employees enjoy time off from work, alcohol consumption increases. This combination can be linked to a higher number of DUI accidents with a 25 percent increase over the rest of the year.

Deer strikes are five times higher over Thanksgiving weekend than any other time. Deer have a nocturnal nature and seek food at dusk. November is also the middle of fall mating season for the animals.

The Weather Channel predicts the weather will be clear in most of the U.S. with the exception of rain throughout Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday and snow showers along the east coast, possibly disrupting travel plans for those flying north. When driving in wet weather visibility can be decreased, so be mindful of your speed and keep a proper distance between you and the car in front of you. Always be sure to wear your seat belt.

If you are looking for dependable Florida auto insurance, contact GreatFlorida Insurance.  Our agents will compare car insurance from several reputable companies across the U.S. to find an affordable auto policy for you.

2014 Travel Forecast - Florida Insurance

Dustyn Shroff
Dustyn Shroffhttp://www.greatflorida.com
Vice President at GreatFlorida Insurance

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