AAA predicts millions traveling on roads this Fourth of July; Extra patrols to be out this weekend

DAYTON — AAA is predicting nearly 51 million Americans will be on the roads this Fourth of July and thousands were traveling Friday night.

With busy travel expected this weekend, there will be extra law enforcement patrolling the streets.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Task force holding OVI checkpoint in Dayton tonight

News Center 7′s Taylor Robertson spoke with people Friday night across the Miami Valley who were preparing to hit the roads this holiday weekend.

She spoke with a man who works at Miami Valley Hospital as he was filling up his gas tank before heading out to Kentucky to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Maurice Donlow says from what he has seen on the job, he hopes that people understand the danger of getting behind the wheel while under the influence.

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“You see the people coming in from accidents, helicopter riding and stuff like that,” he told Robertson. “Once you see that stuff right there, you will respect your lifetime.”

Donlow says he thinks the best way to drive is on defense.

“You always got to be worried about drunk drivers because it’s called an accident,” he said. “You don’t know when it’s going to happen. So, you got to be aware of it when you are driving.”

Robertson says for those who taking a road trip this weekend, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is cracking down on drunk drivers as part of the “Drive Sober, Get Pulled Over” campaign.

OSHP said there were 16 deadly crashes on this weekend last year. 11 of those crashes involved drugs or alcohol.

>>RELATED: OVI checkpoints, patrols to increase for 4th of July holiday weekend

Robertson also spoke with Hurley Parks who has lived in Dayton for many years and lives near Salem Avenue where the Montgomery County Combine Agency OVI Task Force held an OVI checkpoint Friday night in conjunction with the Montgomery Sheriff’s deputies.

He thinks extra patrols are a good thing.

“You aren’t going to be riding in that same neighborhood if you know the cameras and the police are out,” said Parks. “You know they want to help. They don’t want anybody to get hurt.”

He has this advice for drivers; slow down.

“Everybody is in like big hurry, that isn’t good,” Parks told Robertson. “It’s just best to be sober and take your time. Everybody will be happy, I guarantee.”

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Robertson says travelers should also pack their patience.

AAA is predicting nearly 43 million people will be on the roads this holiday weekend.

One of the reasons could be gas prices. They are more than a dollar cheaper than last year. Donlow was happy to see the price.

“Man, I’m filling it up because you aren’t going to find it cheaper,” he said. “Right now, the Shell’s got it popping.”

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State troopers are also reminding drivers to buckle up and pay close attention to all the traffic laws this weekend.

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