Latest news with #KaraHitchens
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AAA predicts 1.7 million Ohioans to travel for Memorial Day weekend
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Memorial Day Weekend is one of the busiest times to travel as millions of people take to the roads and hit the skies this weekend. AAA is predicting more than 45 million people will travel, which is about 1.4 million more than last year. But will the weather or the economic climate have any impact? Memorial Day Weekend is supposed to be the unofficial start of summer. However, here in Ohio, it doesn't feel that way just yet. Regardless, 1.7 million Ohioans are expected to travel this weekend, and 1.5 million of those will drive to their destination. 'We have found that people are more likely to drive to their holiday destinations than to fly. And there's a number of reasons for that,' said Kara Hitchens with AAA. Reason number one: Driving is often more convenient than flying. 'You can make your schedule. When you're flying, you're obviously on the airline's schedule,' said Hitchens. 5 Logan County Seniors receive $1,000 grants The second reason, gas prices. According to AAA, the current national average gas price is around $3.16. A year ago, we were looking at prices closer to $3.61. 'The typical seasonal uptick that we would see this time of year hasn't quite hit yet. It may come later in the summer, but right now gas prices are looking pretty good, which is giving an advantage to those people who do want to drive to their destination,' she said. Memorial Day Weekend is often the time for public pools to open. But, here in Ohio, it is not pool season just yet. However, those with plans this weekend probably made them months in advance. So, while the weather might not have any impact on how many people spend the weekend, experts at AAA say the uncertainty of the economy just might. 'It'll be interesting to see what happens for the rest of the summer, because the economy is still, you know, has so much uncertainty with it,' said Hitchens, 'prices are still high. Grocery prices are still high. We're even looking at airline prices. You know, they're up over last year as well. So pricing, prices have a lot to do with it.' If you are heading out the door this weekend, Hitchens says to plan ahead. 'You want to make sure you know where construction zones are, you know, any, any other kind of barriers. Make sure that you have an emergency roadside kit with you so that in case you do end up at the side of the road, you have some essentials such as water and snacks, that type of thing with you,' she said. NBC4 also asked what the most popular destinations are for Ohioans this weekend, and according to Hitchens, most are opting to go South. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
West Virginia will see more people on the roads this Memorial Day weekend
GHENT, WV (WVNS) — As you may have seen on the variable message signs over some parts of our local highways, May 24 and 25 are going to be some busy travel days for West Virginia. Patching project to alter traffic on Robert C. Byrd drive for months Memorial Day is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year, and much of the state is expected to be on the roads for the holiday this year as well. Kara Hitchens, Public Affairs Manager for AAA, said travel numbers are up for West Virginia this year. 'So, for West Virginia as a whole, we're looking at about a little more than 215,000 people travelling for the Memorial Day holiday. That number is up a little bit over last year, 3.2%. Where we're looking at 89% of West Virginians plan to travel,' said Hitchens. That is about 6,000 more people expected on the roads this weekend than there were last year. Hitchens recommended planning around the busiest times for travelling and making sure your car has been checked over before hitting the road. She also said to practice defensive driving while you are travelling in order to stay as safe as possible this weekend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
AAA warns of distracted driving dangers at start of Distracted Driving Awareness Month
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – April 1 is not only April Fool's Day. It's also the start of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and AAA is aiming to teach people how to be safer drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving was responsible for more than 3,300 deaths and nearly 300,000 injuries in 2022. According to Ohio law, it is a primary offense to use a cell phone or electronic device while driving. Kara Hitchens, Public and government affairs manager at AAA, said driving distracted is a selfish choice. 'Multi-tasking behind the wheel continues to be far too commonplace on our roadways, with many motorists downplaying the potential impacts,' said Hitchens. 'But the reality is that distracted drivers recognize the dangers yet selfishly put themselves and others at risk. Behind every statistic is a real person. A few moments of inattentiveness can change lives forever.' The AAA Foundation's 2023 for Traffic Safety, which can be read in full here, found that 93% of drivers recognize the dangers of texting, emailing, and reading while driving. Despite this awareness, 27% of drivers self-reported sending a text/email, 37% said they read texts/emails, and 36% said they held/talked on a phone while driving in the past 30 days. 'While sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for only about 5 seconds, that's the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field at 55 mph with your eyes closed,' said Hitchens. There are two types of distracted driving, mental and physical, both divert the driver's attention away from the task of safe driving. The driver might remove: Their eyes from the road. Their hands from the wheel. Their minds from the task of driving. Other distractions beyond a cell phone include eating/drinking, smoking, talking with passengers, applying makeup, adjusting in-vehicle climate or radio controls and daydreaming. 'Many drivers are less aware of the dangers of these other distractions,' said Hitchens. 'Even if you put your cell phone away while behind the wheel, you could still be engaging in other activities that distract you from the roadway without realizing the risk.' To learn more about the campaign, visit here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Daylight Saving Time and driving: AAA tips for safe commute
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Monday will be the first-morning commute for many after Daylight Saving Time went into effect. This can be a dangerous day on the roads, according to AAA. Moving the clocks forward one hour can cause people to feel drowsy and impact visible daylight during the morning commute. 'The first two weeks after a switch like this, after a spring forward, those are the most deadly,' said Kara Hitchens, public and government affairs manager for AAA. AAA research found an estimated 18% of all traffic fatalities between 2017 and 2021 involved a drowsy driver. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive? Which is best for you? That's why Hitchens said it's important to be awake and alert before getting behind the wheel. 'Obey your speed limits, fasten your seat belts, make sure that you're paying attention, you put your devices away and that you're focused on the road,' Hitchens said. Now that your morning commute may be in the dark, AAA reminds drivers to look out for pedestrians. According to the most recent data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, nearly 78% of pedestrian fatalities happened in the dark. 'They need to remember, you know, to be especially careful is looking out for school children as they are walking or riding their bikes to school,' Hitchens said. If you need to travel, make sure you do it when you feel most awake. If you start to feel tired, pull over and take a break. 'A good 15, 20-minute power nap, no more than 30 minutes, though,' Hitchens said. Another change that comes around the time clocks spring forward is the start of spring allergy season. Hitchens said to check your medications and be aware that some can make you feel drowsy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
