A larger than normal number of motorists in North Carolina will be taking to the roads this holiday weekend, despite much higher gas prices than this time last year.
The average price of a gallon of regular gas in North Carolina is $3.62 a gallon – about 20 cents higher than this time last year. But Tom Crosby from Triple-A Carolinas says this isn’t discouraging North Carolinians to stay close to home this weekend.
"We have over a million people traveling, and about 980,000 will be driving. And that’s the highest number in nine years."
And Crosby says, Memorial weekend is a time when drivers need to take their time getting to their destination.
"Be patient. There were 14 deaths in North Carolina last year. Over 400 people get killed every Memorial Day holiday, so driving carefully on Memorial Day is prudent."
The North Carolina Highway Patrol says there will be more troopers on the road for the Memorial Day weekend. Troopers also will work with local police and sheriff's deputies in the "Click it or Ticket" seatbelt checkpoints across North Carolina. And if you happen to be flying this weekend, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is recommending that you plan ahead. With 5,000 fewer parking spaces because of construction and a higher than usual number of travelers, the airport is anticipating their parking lots will be at or near full capacity over the holiday weekend.