By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
Michiana has had several reminders over the last couple of weeks that winter weather during the holiday season can make for hazardous travel. AAA reported an estimated 600,000 Americans will not travel over the holidays this year, the first decrease since 2002. But that only makes up for a 1.4 percent decline, according to AAA, from last year's total of 41.6 million travelers.
With the economy hitting everyone where it hurts -their budget – many travelers may make adjustments to their standard holiday plans, but will still be taking plenty of planes, trains and automobiles to get home for Thanksgiving.
Either way, when it comes to holiday travel – there are plenty of tips one can keep in mind to make the journey as safe and easy as possible.
"Winter is a great time to experience Michigan's beautiful outdoors, but without enough caution, snow and ice can make even short trips dangerous," Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land said in a press release. "Drivers should take a moment to make sure they're prepared and remember to watch out for icy roadways."
The Michigan State Police Department encourages motorists to check road conditions before beginning the trip. An interactive map, available at www.michigan.gov/roadconditions will allow travelers to see just what they'll be dealing with no matter what direction they're heading when travelling within the state. The map is updated at least twice a day, as information is related by both public safety personnel and law enforcement, the website states.
Proper vehicle care, Land said, is another important aspect to holiday travel and she "recommends drivers check their vehicles to be sure they're in good working order, such as having working wiper blades and proper amounts of antifreeze and window-washer fluid."
Terrence L. Jungel, the executive director of the Michigan Sheriff's Association also suggested that motorists put together an emergency kit stocked with the following items: a blanket and/or warm clothes, flashlight, jumper cables, tow rope and sand or cat litter which is helpful if traction is needed.
"Too often, deputies who respond to accident scenes find the driver or passengers are not prepared for winter weather, such as not being dressed for freezing temperatures or not having the right equipment for themselves," Jungel said. "A fun winter outing can quickly become miserable, or even life-threatening, if your vehicle gets stuck or breaks down far from help."
Those who can't access the Michigan State Police Department's interactive map can still get conditions over the phone at (800) 381-8477.