CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — With Thanksgiving Day just hours away, travel is expected to reach a new record high this holiday season, marking one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Officials from the Pennsylvania Turnpike are urging drivers to prioritize safety as they head to their holiday destinations.
With over 3.4 million travelers expected on the Pennsylvania Turnpike alone, officials are bracing for significant congestion.
"This is traditionally some of our busiest days on the roadway all year," said Crispin Havener from the PA Turnpike.
Nationally, nearly 72 million travelers are anticipated to drive to their Thanksgiving gatherings, an increase of approximately 1.37 million from last year.
Among the many travelers is Pittsburgh resident Rob Nicolotti, who was on his way to New Jersey. Despite experiencing some delays during his journey, Nicolotti remained optimistic, thanks in part to his wife’s driving.
“We’re making good time,” Nicolotti stated.
However, Turnpike officials caution that increased traffic comes with a heightened risk for accidents.
“A lot of that tends to be from distracted driving, not paying attention when there are more people around you, unfortunately, we do see a lot of people trying to speed,” Havener noted.
To enhance roadway safety, the Pennsylvania State Police have increased their patrols to monitor compliance with traffic regulations.
Some travelers, such as Michigan resident Martha Hartwick, believe that more police presence can lead to slower traffic. “It makes people step on their brakes a lot,” she commented during her drive to Delaware for Thanksgiving.
Despite the congestion, Turnpike officials state that there have not been any major incidents reported thus far.
For added peace of mind, the GEICO Safety Patrol team is also active this week to assist drivers with various issues, ranging from flat tires to breakdowns. Motorists on the Turnpike are encouraged to call *11 for assistance.
Resources to calculate your holiday travel route and stay up to date on roadway conditions can be found here. The Pennsylvania Turnpike also offers a winter weather preparedness checklist for travelers before they hit the road.