Labor Day travel expected to break records: What to know

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — It’s been a record-breaking year for travel, and experts expect that trend to continue this Labor Day weekend.

Officials with Ohio State Highway Patrol say that your holiday weekend celebrations should start with a plan — not only for what you’re doing but also how you’ll get there and back safely.

AAA is predicting it’s going to be congested no matter how you’re traveling. AAA recommends that if you haven’t left already, the best time to get on the road this weekend is Friday after 7 p.m. or Saturday afternoon.

While you’re driving, expect to see more state troopers along the highway.

Sergeant Tyler Ross says troopers will be positioned where they are visible to encourage people to slow down and to watch out for impaired drivers.

According to OSP, last Labor Day weekend, 24 people died on Ohio roads — 17 of those crashes involved drugs or alcohol. Last year, OSP made more than 400 OVI arrests.

If you’re going to be drinking, Ross says decided who is driving home or plan to book a ride share before you leave for your Labor Day party.

“We see it every single holiday weekend. We see it every single Labor Day, year in and year out, people make the decision to drive,” said Ross. “And unfortunately, more often than not, it is tragic. And that’s the worst part of our job, to go to somebody’s house in the middle of the night or during the day, all hours of the day, and tell them that, you know, a family member has died.”

Ross says if you do encounter an impaired driver, a disabled vehicle, or witness a crash call 911 or #677 to alert authorities.

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