You made it through a Pandemic, stay safe on Memorial Day.

AAA Travel Estimates

AAA Travel expects more than 37 million people to travel this Memorial Day weekend. That is a 60% increase from last year when only 23 million Americans traveled, due to the pandemic. Last year was the lowest on record since AAA recorded this data in 2000. Clearly, people are itching to enjoy vacations that were put on hold because of Covid-19.

AAA Travel is estimating that nearly 12 million Americans will travel by car. Approximately 9 in 10 travelers will drive to their destinations, rather than fly, take trains, or buses.

More Driving on Memorial Day = More Tickets, Accidents, and worse OWIs

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 415 people may die on the roads during the Memorial Day holiday. The average number of traffic deaths during Memorial Day over the last 6 years has been trending up. In fact it’s 14.1% higher than those that occurred during previously comparable weekends.

The Racine, Kenosha and Walworth police are all well aware of these dangers. They are actively cracking down on traffic offenders on Memorial Day weekend. It’s one of the deadliest holidays on our roads. You can expect to see Wisconsin cops handing out tickets and making arrests.

Travel delays bring out the worst in people. Often, sitting in traffic can trigger road rage. This rage can result in speeding, improper turns, improper passing, tailgating, running red lights and stop signs, and much more. Many roadtrippers may be unfamiliar with the streets and highways they’re traveling on, which could not only fuel road rage but also increase the chances of traffic tickets.

To avoid needing Cafferty & Scheidegger consider these Memorial Day tips:

• Take a breather
• Listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks
• Plan your schedule so you’re not in a rush
• Relax
• Do not confront other drivers
• Leave the mother in-law at home

Are you familiar with the destination you are traveling to? It’s important to be cautious on the roads, as you could become distracted trying to figure out where you’re going. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. If you are traveling somewhere you’ve never been to before, you are particularly at risk of getting into a collision. For this reason, we list some safe driving tips for Memorial Day weekend below:

• Map out your route ahead of time
• Get plenty of rest
• Bring water and snacks for the road
• Do not drive drowsy
• Drive defensively
• Take breaks along the way
• Leave the mother in-law at home
• Pack an emergency bag with essentials such as a tire gauge, tire iron, jumper cables, etc.

OWI Dangers on Memorial Day Weekend

One of the most serious threats during Memorial day weekend is OWI. Operating while intoxicated is extremely common during Memorial Day weekend. This is why law enforcement agencies throughout southeast Wisconsin increase police patrols. Kenosha and Racine city police along with the Sheriff’s step up enforcement efforts at times when drunk drivers are most likely on the roads.

Memorial Day weekend attracts day drinkers and night drinkers alike, meaning you could see more police patrols during the day and even more so at night this holiday. If you are suspected of OWI and eventually get convicted, you’re looking at serious ramifications. Including fines, jail time, license suspension, IID installation, and more. Examine the drunk driving prevention tips below to best avoid these devastating OWI consequences:

• Plan a designated driver (DD) who you trust to stay sober and drive you to/from your destination – Never let your friends drive intoxicated
• Do not get in the car with an intoxicated driver
• Call a friend or family member to drive you
• Use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft
• Do not mix alcohol or drugs with your prescription medications
• Stay overnight at the party host’s home or book a hotel room
• Do not drink and drive, even after consuming only one beverage

Arrested in Racine, Kenosha or Walworth? You need Cafferty & Scheidegger. 

Memorial Day commemorates men and women who died serving our country. Although it is known for barbecues and parties, Memorial Day is also known for being one of the busiest and most dangerous holidays of the year. As we discussed above, you could get traffic tickets or be arrested for OWI. Worse, you could get seriously hurt or killed in a car collision if you’re not careful.

If you got a ticket or an OWI charge, get in touch with the team at Cafferty & Scheidegger online to discuss your situation and learn your legal options.

Don’t become a statistic or a meme this Memorial Day.