Planning a safe trip
Wednesday, November 23, 2005 10:32 AM PST
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| Andrew Cutler | Argus Observer
Jerry Harris (left) Meridian, picks up his grandson Anthony Harrison (right), from Becky Brown, Emmett, at the Hammer Store outside of Fruitland. Harris was returning Harrison to Moscow, home for the holidays.
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Andrew Cutler Argus Observer
ONTARIO
It's time for the holiday traveling rush to begin in the western Treasure Valley but advance planning can help motorists avoid problems during any trip.
The Oregon State Police advises holiday travelers to prepare for winter driving conditions and cold weather. Motorists should alert friends and family about travel plans and carry a cell phone in case of a breakdown. Travelers are also advised to pack a winter driving kit that includes water, a flashlight, jumper cables, traction devices, gloves and blankets.
“Taking an extra half an hour to an hour of preparation can help save a life,” OSP Sgt. Mark Duncan of the Ontario Oregon State Police Area Command office said. “Let people know when you are leaving, what route you are taking and what your anticipated time of arrival is going to be. That way if we have an overdue motorist situation, then it gives us, as law enforcement, a place to start looking.”
Duncan said OSP will utilize a Oregon Department of Transportation grant to put extra patrols on all major highways through the county, with highly visible patrols on Interstate 84 and on U.S. Highway 95.
Duncan said OSP will be looking for aggressive drivers, or drivers who are following too close to other vehicles, and signs of fatigued drivers. Motorists should utilize rest stops, or make plenty of stops to help combat fatigue.
“We would encourage people if they are feeling a little tired to stop,” Duncan said.
According to the American Automobile Association this holiday season air travel will be up and auto travel will hold steady - despite higher fuel costs - compared with last year.
“We estimate that 37.29 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, which is a 0.8 percent increase from last year's 37 million travelers,” Beth Van Horn, AAA Oregon Travel Services vice president, said. “Higher prices and sagging consumer confidence will make Thanksgiving travel growth a bit less robust this holiday, although airports and highways will be as busy as ever. Prices for gasoline, hotel rooms and rental cars have increased, but people will travel. You'd be hard-pressed to tell Grandma that you're not coming for Thanksgiving dinner because it will cost an extra $10 to fill up your gas tank.”
Approximately 30.84 million travelers - 83 percent of all holiday travelers - expect to go by motor vehicle, a 0.7 percent increase from the 30.61 million who drove a year ago.
Holiday auto travelers will find gas prices nationwide currently averaging $2.29 for a gallon of regular gasoline - falling a whopping 50 cents during the last month, but still about 32 cents higher than a year ago. In Oregon, the average price is $2.44, about 25 cents ahead of last year, but 47 cents lower than the record high price set in early September, following the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
Idaho's gasoline prices are 12 cents higher than the national average price of $2.29 and 33 cents more than Idahoans were paying a year ago.
“Americans will find ways to cover the higher gas prices,” Van Horn said. “They might drive a more fuel-efficient car, stay with relatives close to home, or eat lunch on the road, but they'll be driving.”
Another 4.64 million - or 12 percent of holiday travelers - plan to travel by air, up 1.3 percent from the 4.59 million that flew last Thanksgiving holiday. Air travelers should leave extra time for check-in and security. Those missing flights are unlikely to find an empty seat on the next flight. A projected 1.81 million travelers will go by train, bus, or other modes of transportation, up slightly from 1.80 million a year ago.
No Dhimmi wrote on Aug 14, 2009 9:38 PM:
And this isn't "racist," because Islam is not a race, anymore than Communism or Nazism are races, both of which killed far fewer people than Islam.
Disgusting. "