HAGERSTOWN, MD - If you're hitting the road this Thanksgiving, be prepared for more traffic.
"The less travel, the better," says Gary Hammond, a local driver.
"Slow down, drive carefully; that's particularly important with more traffic on the roadways," says Lt. Tom Woodward with the Maryland State Police.
Amy Myers just got her license days before the holiday, but she says the traffic isn't too intimidating yet.
"Pretty happy that we're not having any bad weather, besides the fog that we had this morning, because it makes it ten times worse when you have to drive through a lot of traffic," says Myers. "Plus a lot of bad weather. We're pretty blessed with the sunshine right now."
Police say November is one of the most crowded months on the highways.
"Over the last couple of years, probably a result of an increase in fuel prices, the AAA has been reporting a decrease in the amount of travel; this year it's going back up," says Lt. Woodward. "We're preparing for an increase in crashes, we hope it doesn't happen, we're going to have personnel out there to try to prevent the crashes."
The MVA says buckling up reduces the risk of serious injuries by up to 50 percent.
"We always encourage individuals, when you're getting in the car, whether it's just a trip to the supermarket or around the corner, always buckle up, don't drive impaired and do not speed," says Buel Young, MVA Spokesperson.
Other locals say they're happy to be celebrating in town.
"Fortunately my son and grand kids are here in town, so we're just going out to his in-laws for Thanksgiving," shares Hammond.
But if you're traveling at all, plan to leave a little earlier so you can enjoy yourself at your destination.
"The less travel, the better," says Gary Hammond, a local driver.
"Slow down, drive carefully; that's particularly important with more traffic on the roadways," says Lt. Tom Woodward with the Maryland State Police.
Amy Myers just got her license days before the holiday, but she says the traffic isn't too intimidating yet.
"Pretty happy that we're not having any bad weather, besides the fog that we had this morning, because it makes it ten times worse when you have to drive through a lot of traffic," says Myers. "Plus a lot of bad weather. We're pretty blessed with the sunshine right now."
Police say November is one of the most crowded months on the highways.
"Over the last couple of years, probably a result of an increase in fuel prices, the AAA has been reporting a decrease in the amount of travel; this year it's going back up," says Lt. Woodward. "We're preparing for an increase in crashes, we hope it doesn't happen, we're going to have personnel out there to try to prevent the crashes."
The MVA says buckling up reduces the risk of serious injuries by up to 50 percent.
"We always encourage individuals, when you're getting in the car, whether it's just a trip to the supermarket or around the corner, always buckle up, don't drive impaired and do not speed," says Buel Young, MVA Spokesperson.
Other locals say they're happy to be celebrating in town.
"Fortunately my son and grand kids are here in town, so we're just going out to his in-laws for Thanksgiving," shares Hammond.
But if you're traveling at all, plan to leave a little earlier so you can enjoy yourself at your destination.
