Watch speed, seat belts — police are out in force

Watch your speed and seatbelt use this Memorial Day weekend. More travelers will be on the road as will additional officers / Photo illustration by Jupiter Images.

The Gazette

If you’re hitting the road this weekend, expect to see a few more of your fellow Americans traveling than last Memorial Day — as well as law enforcement officers checking how fast you’re driving and if you’re wearing your seat belt.

Americans traveling 50 or more miles this weekend will increase 1.5 percent this year over 2008 to about 32.4 million, according to AAA.

“Last year, soaring gas prices and a deteriorating economy resulted in far fewer trips being taken than had been forecast,” said Randy Williams, president of AAA Minnesota/Iowa. “Sharply lower gasoline prices and plentiful travel bargains have Americans feeling better about taking a road trip this summer.”

Gas did go up to around $2.35 per gallon at most stations on Thursday, up from $2.10 to $2.20 last weekend but still much lower than last year’s range of $3.71 to $3.75 a gallon.

Law enforcement agencies throughout Eastern Iowa reported they would be increasing patrols to watch for people speeding, not using their seat belts or breaking other traffic laws.

The average distance traveled this Memorial Day weekend is forecast to be approximately 620 miles, AAA reported, a slight decrease from 2008.

Average spending for weekend trips is estimated to be $1,052.

Nearly 60 percent of Americans will spend time with friends and relatives over the holiday, and traveling as a family will be the most popular way to go with 34 percent of travelers making a journey with kids or other family.

Click here for a list of fairs and festivals going on around the state this weekend.

2009 Gazette Communications