Motorists and police taking to highways for Memorial Day weekend
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Steven Driscoll, patrol section commander for Troop B, speaks at an event on Memorial Day travel at the West Virginia Welcome Center along Interstate 70.
Law enforcement officials from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio pose for a photo with the various vehicles they may use to help keep travelers safe this holiday weekend.
JJ Miller with AAA East Central, center, stands with law enforcement officials from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.
As drivers prepare to hit the road for the Memorial Day weekend, state police from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio are reminding them to slow down, not to drink alcohol and stay off electronic devices while behind the wheel.
Troopers from those three states gathered Thursday with county sheriffs at the Welcome Center on Interstate 70 west in Valley Grove, W.Va., to kick off Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). The combined effort is part of an increased focus on drivers who are speeding, being aggressive, texting or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
More than 41.5 million Americans are expected to travel this holiday weekend, said JJ Miller of AAA East Central.
“That is 5 percent more than last year,” McKay said. “The higher gas prices won’t keep people home.”
Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania are the highest they have been in four years, according to AAA. Drivers are paying an average of $3.09 per gallon, compared to $2.63 last year.
Lt. Steven Driscoll, patrol section commander for Pennsylvania’s Troop B, headquartered in Washington County, said the common theme among law enforcement is to make the highways safer.
“We’ve made positive strides in reducing the number of crashes,” Driscoll said. “We’ve also seen a reduction in DUI-related crashes, including DUI-related fatal crashes, over the last three years.”
“It is not our goal to give drivers a hard time. We are out there to promote traffic safety,” he added.
Ohio Highway Patrol Major Josh Swindell said driving under the influence of drugs is becoming as much a problem as alcohol. Swindell also urged drivers to stay off cellphones and make sure all occupants in the vehicle are properly restrained.
Capt. James Stout of the West Virginia state police urged drivers to make sure their vehicles are in good shape before hitting the road.
“Take a good look at your vehicle,” Stout said.
He also warned drivers to allow for more time because of construction on area roads and bridges.
“It could delay travel plans,” Stout said.
More than 2.3 million motorists are expected to travel the Pennsylvania Turnpike over the holiday weekend. The heaviest travel day is expected to be today. All maintenance and construction work has been suspended and all available lanes will be open through 11 p.m. Monday.