AAA says fewer Carolinians to travel this holiday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Officials with AAA Carolinas say fewer North Carolina and South Carolina residents will travel this Christmas holiday season.

Though travel by vehicle was expected to increase slightly this year, the group announced Monday that air travel will decrease nearly 8 percent. That means fewer people from the two states plan to travel between now and Dec. 31.

According to AAA Carolinas, 1.9 million people in North Carolina will travel. That's down 22,000 travelers from last year.

In South Carolina, 953,000 people planned to travel, a decrease of 10,500 last Christmas season.

“Drivers need to be aware, particularly when traffic is heavy and weather conditions may not be ideal,” Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett said. “Taking steps to ensure you are alert and well rested can help protect you, your family and others on the road.”

According to NCDOT statewide crash data, distracted drivers played a role in 2,792 crashes in 2007. Of those, four crashes were fatal and 1,735 crashes involved injuries.