The nation’s highways and local streets and roads will experience heavy traffic this weekend as many people begin hitting the roads and heading to distant or relatively close destinations to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.
The American Automobile Association has projected about 48.7 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles this Thanksgiving, an increase of 1 million travelers compared with 2015, and that means local and state law enforcement agencies will be keeping a close look for problems on the roads as travelers make their way to another place to celebrate the holiday.
“We’re going to keep a watchful eye out for any and all violations,” Vicksburg Police Chief Walter Armstrong said. “We’ll have a full slate of officers working this weekend and throughout the holidays, but more importantly, we’re just asking the motoring public to be mindful. There’s going to be extra traffic on the road, and just drive defensively and report any suspicious activities to 911 to include any driving infractions.”
Armstrong said officers will be watching for impaired drivers and will have extra officers out doing drunk driving and seatbelt enforcement programs.
“We’re increasing our patrols in the neighborhoods and around the business districts, and we’re going to have the officers on duty pay close attention to the traffic in and around those areas that are going to be having those Black Friday sales,” he said.
Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said he will have a full complement of deputies, including the sheriff’s office’s traffic division out during the holidays.
And while his officers will not be conducting any special DUI or seatbelt details, Pace said “we enforce the traffic laws year-round.”
He also provided some safety tips for drivers who will be on the road this weekend.
“First and foremost, wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts save lives.”
Drivers should allow a proper distance between their car  and the vehicle in front of them, and adjust their driving speed according to weather conditions.
“Just because the speed limit may say 35 mph, that’s 35 mph under optimum conditions,” Pace said. “If it’s pouring down rain, 35 mph may not be a safe speed.”
He offered another tip to remind drivers to be observant and alert on the road.
“You have to drive for yourself and everyone else on the road, always watch the other drivers; always watch what the other driver is going to do, because unless it’s a mechanical failure of the vehicle, nearly every traffic crash is preventable.”
And don’t drink and drive. If someone is going to drink alcohol, Pace said they need to either have a designated driver or call for a cab or someone to come pick them up and take them home.
“And remember,” he said, “A designated driver is not someone who is more sober. A designated driver is someone who hasn’t had anything to drink at all.”