EDMOND — It’s officially Labor Day weekend, and while AAA Oklahoma predicts a decrease in traveling compared to last year, officials say it’s still important to travel safely.

Safety importance

“The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office works diligently with local law enforcement to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities to make Oklahoma’s roads safer,” said Sabrina Mackey, Oklahoma Highway Safety Office communications manager. “Drivers can do their part to stay safe over the Labor Day weekend by doing a few simple things.”

During the past two years, 14 people have died statewide in crashes over the Labor Day holiday.

Mackey said there were four fatal crashes in which four people died in 2007.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the four fatal crashes involved three drivers who were speeding and one who failed to stop.

In 2006, there were five fatal crashes in which 10 people were killed and 205 injury crashes in which 309 people were injured. The top five causes of these crashes included unsafe speed, inattention, failing to yield, other improper/act movement and unknown/no improper action.

“Overall, there were 495 total crashes involving 950 people (in 2006),” Mackey said.

Safety tips

Mackey said people need to buckle up every trip, every time and always buckle children up in an age-appropriate car seat or seat belt.

“In traveling to and from holiday destinations, exercise caution on congested roadways,” she said. “Leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you and remember to slow down.”

Chuck Mai, AAA Oklahoma communications director, said the No. 1 concern is to make sure your car is road worthy. Check the tires and make sure under-the-hood fluids are full, he said.

“If you have any doubts about your tires, now would be a good time to do that,” he said.

Also, be aware of fatigue. Mai said take lots of breaks while driving and drive no more than six hours at a time. He said people who stretch their trip into one day are too tired to enjoy their destination.

Holiday drinking

For those who choose to celebrate the holiday with alcoholic beverages, be sure to designate a sober driver.

Glynda Chu, Edmond Police Department spokeswoman, said police officers will patrol Arcadia Lake and finish their anti-drunk driving initiative.

The EPD has been participating in the National Impaired Driving Crackdown, “Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest,” since Aug. 15. Edmond officers have been working in an overtime capacity, funded by a $65,000 grant from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, and will continue to do so through Sept. 1.

“Alcohol-related traffic fatalities are on the rise and heavy enforcement during the holiday period has proven to be a deterrent, sending out the strong message that drinking and driving over the legal limit will not be tolerated,” EPD Sgt. Bob Pratt said in a press release.

Travel predictions

Mai said they predict 373,350 Oklahomans to travel by motor vehicle this weekend, which is nearly 1 percent less than last year. The prediction was based on a survey administered by the Travel Industry Association to 2,000 adults nationwide.

Mai said the decrease mainly is attributed to increased gasoline prices and that many families already have taken a summer vacation and are opting to stay home to save money. While consumer gas prices are down 15 cents per gallon compared to one month ago, they are still up 71 cents per gallon over last year around this time.

“We are seeing an increase in people traveling by bus in Oklahoma and by train in other parts of the nation,” he said. “I think we’re still seeing some strong numbers in people traveling over the weekend.”

Despite a 1.2 percent decline from Labor Day 2007, AAA expects 394,250 Oklahomans to travel 50 miles or more over the weekend.

THE DETAILS: Holiday closings

The following will be closed Monday for the Labor Day holiday:

City of Edmond

All county, state and federal offices.

Most banks

The U.S. Postal Service

The Edmond Library

The Edmond Senior Center

There will be no Edmond Sanitation routes on Monday. Trash pick up will be delayed by one day for the remainder of

the week.

cbryce@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 112