Florida Highway Patrol Steps Up Patrols for July 4th: Holiday Travel Expected to Rise

By Michael Turnbell, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Jun. 30–With schools out and offices closed, more drivers than usual are on the road July 4, bound for beaches, barbecues and fireworks displays to celebrate the nation’s birthday. And long before the sun sets, alcohol is often part of the festivities.

It’s that lethal combination of heavy traffic and impaired drivers that helps make the Fourth of July the deadliest day of the year on American roads, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

In a study of federal crash records from 1995 to 2005, the institute found that an average of 154 people died in traffic crashes on Independence Day. Alcohol was a factor in about 40 percent of the wrecks. July 3 is the second-deadliest day.

The Florida Highway Patrol hopes to keep drivers on their best behavior by stepping up patrols statewide.

“People have to be extra cautious, wear their seat belts and remember to drive defensively,” said Maj. Ernesto Duarte, a highway patrol spokesman. “They could have a drunken driver coming at them at 1 in the afternoon.”

Although driving remains the overwhelming choice of transportation for July 4 getaways, more people are choosing to fly this year, lured by lower airfares, said Gregg Laskoski, a spokesman for Tampa-based American Automobile Association Auto Club South.

The association predicts a 3 percent increase in air travel, while the number of people driving will grow less than 0.5 percent over 2006, based on a survey of 1,950 adults.

About 41.1 million Americans are expected to travel for July 4, an increase of less than 1 percent over last year’s record 41 million. And most of them are beginning their trips this weekend, Laskoski said.

The cost of filling up is not expected to keep people home. Although gas prices are 12 cents higher than a year ago and may creep upward because refineries aren’t keeping up with demand, the price for unleaded regular in South Florida has dropped 25 cents from record highsin May.

People choosing to fly are seeing airfares drop, too, as they’re 12 percent lower than a year ago on average. South Florida’s three major airports say they’re prepared to handle the extra passengers.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport expects about 80 percent of its 75,000-seat daily capacity will be filled today and Sunday and again on Wednesday. “You’ll want to arrive earlier than you would at other times of the year,” said airport spokesman Greg Meyer.

Parking information is available on the airport’s radio station, AM 1670. You can also listen to the station at www.fll.net.

For travelers with more money than time, Miami International Airport now offers valet parking on the departure level in the Dolphin Garage, across from concourses B and C. The cost ranges from $18 for up to three hours to $30 for overnight and for each additional day.

Palm Beach International Airport is bracing for a surge of travelers Sunday and Monday, said Lisa De La Rionda, airport spokeswoman.

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