LA Auto Club: July 4th Travelers On the Road Again, But Stay Closer to Home
LOS ANGELES--June 27, 2002--More than 3.4 million Southern Californians and a total of 5.4 million Californians are expected to travel over the July 4th holiday weekend, with many staying at destinations close to home, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.About 79%, or 2.7 million, are expected to drive, which is up 2% from last year.
"The sputtering economy and slowly rising gas prices may produce some travel concerns, but many Southern Californians still are choosing to get away for this traditional holiday," said Diana Meinhold, Auto Club travel vice president. "This year July 4th falls on a Thursday, giving travelers an opportunity for a longer holiday weekend and that may have some influence on the decision to travel."
A national survey conducted for AAA projects that July 4th travel will increase slightly this year. About 36.7 million Americans plan to take a holiday this weekend, compared with 36.4 million last year. Of those traveling this year, about 32 million of them are expected to drive to their destinations.
The same trend generated by the 9/11 tragedy is still in place -- more travelers are staying closer to home and driving to their destination. Southern California gas prices are about 30 cents lower than this time last year, but they have been climbing in recent weeks. In California, the average price is at about $1.65, about 5 cents higher than a month ago.
The following are the most popular destinations for Southern Californians, according to a survey of Auto Club travel agents:
1. Las Vegas 2. Central California Coast: San Francisco, Monterey and Santa Barbara 3. San Diego 4. Grand Canyon, Ariz. 5. Catalina Island, Calif. 6. Anaheim (Disneyland), Calif. 7. Yosemite, Calif. 8. Pacific Northwest: Seattle, Vancouver/Victoria
The Auto Club advises motorists to plan their routes by calling the California Highway Information Number at 800/427-7623 for interstate and state route lane closures and highway closures. The information is updated hourly. This is especially important during the dry summer conditions that may result in wild fires.
Also, those planning to travel elsewhere in the West need to check ahead for road closures or route changes due to fires or other weather conditions.
The Auto Club offers the following safety tips for families traveling this holiday:
| -- | Families should keep track of each other and stay together. Whether you are in an airport or an amusement park, make sure children know where to go if they get separated from you. Point out uniformed police, airport personnel, park rangers or others who can help them. You may consider using walkie-talkies if possible. |
| -- | Don't let children wander alone. Go with them to public rest rooms, snack bars and video game areas. |
| -- | Make sure you have a family plan for what to do if you become separated. Some families issue whistles for certain situations such as hiking or camping trips. |
| -- | Have children carry complete contact information including their name, parent's or guardian's name, home or hotel address and phone number, and a cell phone number, if possible. |
| -- | Show children how to lock hotel room doors and windows and how to call for help on the guest room phone. Also make sure they know where the emergency exits are wherever you are staying. |
| -- | Place children under age one and up to 20 pounds in a rear-facing infant safety seat in the back seat of the car. From ages one to six and up to 60 pounds, children should be in a child safety seat in the back seat of the car. A child older than age four or more than 40 pounds should have an appropriate restraint to help the lap and shoulder belt fit correctly. |
| -- | Have your child's safety seat inspected to make sure it is in good condition and properly installed prior to leaving on vacation. |
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs.
Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.
