What you need to know if you’re traveling on Labor Day
Increased traffic and airport crowds mark busy end to the long weekend
Lexington, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – As the Labor Day weekend draws to a close, roads and airports across the region are expected to be bustling with travelers. Both travel experts and authorities are urging people to take essential precautions to ensure a smooth return from the holiday.
On Monday, many people are celebrating the Labor Day holiday either on the road or at the airport as they head back home after the long weekend. Traffic volumes are anticipated to peak, with experts offering key reminders for those driving.
“We don’t want anyone driving impaired or distracted and certainly follow all those traffic laws out there don’t be running traffic signals speeding, those sorts of things,” said Public Affairs Manager AAA Bluegrass, Lori Weaver Hawkins.
The Lexington Police Department has announced an increase in patrols, and state police have set up traffic safety checkpoints throughout Kentucky. Authorities are stressing the importance of cautious driving, particularly on busy travel days like today.
“The other thing is there’s going to be a lot of cars on the road, so be mindful of those around you. Driving is sort of a team sport, so you could be doing everything right, and if the person next to you is not it could be just as dangerous. So you have to be aware of your surroundings,” said Lt. Jeremiah Davis with the Lexington Police Department.
At Blue Grass Airport, officials have reported a significant uptick in passenger numbers. According to data shared with ABC 36, over 22,000 travelers have passed through the airport this weekend, marking a noticeable increase compared to last year. The airport also noted a 15% to 18% rise in overall summer travel this year compared to previous years.
With the unofficial end of summer, the surge in airport traffic is expected. Travel experts are advising passengers to plan ahead and arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before their scheduled flight to accommodate potential delays and long lines.
