Christmas Travel 2020: Worst Times To Drive In Metro Atlanta

GEORGIA — As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to climb following the Thanksgiving holiday, many people in Georgia might be thinking twice about venturing out of town for Christmas.

Nearly 9 million people passed through U.S. airports over Thanksgiving, the highest since the pandemic began in mid-March. Millions more traveled by car to join family and friends. As cases spiked in the following weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued another urgent plea to Americans: Stay home this Christmas.

Will Americans heed the advice this time around? Not everyone, according to this year’s Christmas travel forecast by the American Automobile Association, but we can expect to see a significant drop in Christmas travelers.

AAA is predicting nearly 34 million people will opt to stay home this year compared with last year’s holiday season. This represents a 29 percent decrease in travel.

Regardless, AAA says as many 84.5 million people are still expected to travel this Christmas. Most will do so by car — about 96 percent, according to AAA. Auto travel is also expected to replace some trips previously taken by bus, train or airplane.

If you must travel, the CDC offers guidelines on its website, including how to gauge your risk of coronavirus exposure as well as how to know when to delay travel. It also offers a list of questions Americans should ask themselves before making a trip.

Those who do travel are likely to see increased delays at typical urban bottlenecks — up to 20 percent above normal pandemic congestion levels.

If you plan to travel from metro Atlanta and want to avoid the rush, be aware that the peak travel time is expected to be at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 26. The I-75 North corridor, from Arthur K Bolton Pkwy to I-675, will have the heaviest delays, according to AAA.

Those traveling by car will also enjoy cheap gas prices. On average, gas prices nationwide are nearly 50 cents cheaper per gallon than last year.

AAA ultimately suggests travelers keep in mind they’re traveling during a pandemic and should heed a few tips before they hit the road:

• Plan ahead. Check with state and local authorities where you are, along your route, and at your planned destination to learn about local circumstances and any restrictions that may be in place.

• Minimize stops along the way. Pack meals, extra snacks and drinks in addition to an emergency roadside kit.

• Follow public health guidance. Use face masks, and remember to socially distance. Wash your hands regularly, and be sure to pack disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and a thermometer to help protect and monitor your health.

• Check with your hotel. Prior to any hotel stay, call ahead to ensure your hotel is open and ask what precautions it is taking and what requirements are in place to protect guests.

For other helpful travel guidance from AAA, visit the organization’s COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map for the latest state and local travel restrictions. You can also use TripTik.AAA.com to plan your road trip and help determine which rest stops, gas stations, restaurants and hotels are open along your route.

State Troopers, Officers Urge Caution During Holiday Travel

The Georgia State Patrol and the Motor Carrier Compliance Division encourage motorists to exercise safe driving habits during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel periods. In an effort to reduce the number of crashes on Georgia roadways, state troopers and Motor Carrier Compliance Division officers will be on high visibility patrols on interstates and state roads. The Christmas travel period is 78-hours long, from 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 27. The 78-hour New Year’s holiday period will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, and end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3.

Col. Chris Wright, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety said, “This year has been one for the record books, however, it is still the primary focus and commitment of state troopers and officers to focus on motorists who break state traffic laws and exercise bad driving habits that could potentially cause serious injuries or fatal crashes.”

According to AAA Travel, there will be a 29 percent decrease in holiday travel between Dec. 23, and Jan. 3, compared to last year’s holiday season due to public health concerns, official guidance not to travel, and an overall decline in consumer sentiment which has encouraged many Americans to stay home for the holidays.

Last year, the 2019 Christmas holiday travel period was 54-hours long. Georgia State Patrol investigated 248 crashes that resulted in 149 injuries and eight fatal crashes resulting in nine fatalities. Troopers and officers issued a total of 5,333 citations and 8,222 warnings, with 124 people arrested for driving impaired.

During the 2020 New Year’s holiday travel period, which was 30-hours long, Georgia State Patrol worked 143 crashes that resulted in 71 injuries and two fatal crashes resulting in two fatalities. In addition, troopers and officers issued 5,083 citations, 7,275 warnings, and arrested 160 people for driving under the influence.

If you plan to include alcohol consumption in your holiday celebrations, make sure to plan for a sober designated driver by contacting a taxi or ride-share, a friend, or family member to help you get home safely. Make these decisions before you get into the holiday spirit.

In addition to enforcing traffic laws, troopers and officers caution drivers to avoid becoming a distracted driver. The most important thing is to stay focused on where you are going and the drivers around you so that crashes do not ruin your Christmas festivities.

“Although this year’s Christmas and New Year’s celebrations do not mirror those of last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, we want everyone to enjoy this holiday season with family and friends by driving sober, staying focused on the road, and obeying the traffic laws and executive orders of this state,” Wright said.

During the holiday period, an updated traffic fatality count will be published on the Department of Public Safety’s Twitter page.

Georgia DOT Suspends Lane Closures

To ease the stresses of the holiday season the Georgia Department of Transportation will suspend construction-related lane closures on heavily traveled interstate highways and state routes near major shopping areas and tourist locations from 5 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 for the Christmas holiday. Restrictions are also in place for the New Year’s holiday from 5 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 to 5 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2. The statewide lane restrictions allow reduced traffic congestion during the winter holidays.

“Although traffic volumes were down earlier this year due to COVID-19, unfortunately, fatalities on our roadways have been up,” said Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John Hancock. “I urge drivers traveling this season to watch your speed, put down your cell phones, be alert and make sure you and your passengers buckle-up. Let’s make sure everyone has a happy holiday.”

While lane closures will be suspended, the department encourages travelers to exercise caution as work zone crews may still be in proximity to highways, and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place. In addition, incident management or emergency, maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route.

For up-to-date information about travel conditions on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, call 511 or visit the website before heading out. 511 is a free service that provides real-time statewide information on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, including traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers can also transfer to operators to request HERO assistance in metro Atlanta or CHAMP service on highways in other regions of the state.