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More than one million Michiganders expected to travel over Labor Day weekend

More than one million Michiganders expected to travel over Labor Day weekend
Posted at 3:27 AM, Aug 29, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-29 05:48:06-04

More than one million Michiganders are expected to travel over Labor Day weekend, and with a majority of those hitting the road, AAA Michigan has issued a statewide call for caution and back to basics traffic safety tips.

Those tips and the call for caution includes urging drivers to buckle up, ditch the driving distractions, drive safe and sober, obey speed limits and wear a helmet when riding motorcycles, ATVs or bicycles.

According to Michigan State Police statistics, 27 percent of the fatalities during Labor Day weekend last year were reported as alcohol-involved and 20 percent of the fatalities involved a motorcycle or ORV.

“Labor Day is the traditional 'last hurrah' before the new school year begins, summer winds down and everyone shifts back into the regular work-day routine," AAA Michigan Public Affairs Director Susan Hiltz said in a release. "Relatively stable gas prices combined with a favorable weather forecast offer the perfect formula to make the most of this final summer holiday in the Great Lake State.”

Gas prices are also expected to be higher this year than last over Labor Day weekend. AAA Michigan projects that the average price of gas will be just under $3 per gallon. On Aug. 28, the average price in the state was $2.91 per gallon, up 45 cents from this time last year.