DAYTON — Travelers are hitting the road for what could be the busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2019, according to AAA.
“We’re visiting family in Tennessee and Kentucky and we’re on our way back home to Ithaca,” Julie Dean from Ithica, New York said.
“Don’t fly, just drive,” William Tom traveling from San Francisco said.
But law enforcement agencies know, that also means an increased risk for potentially fatal traffic crashes.
According to a three-year study by AutoInsurance.org, Memorial Day was the deadliest holiday to drive.
>> 1 dead, 3 taken to hospital after crash on I-71 in Union Twp.
Early Saturday morning, hours into the holiday weekend, a semi rear-ended a van killing one and injuring three others in Union Township, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Troopers said 15 people died in crashes across the state last year during Memorial Day weekend.
They also made more than 500 arrests for operating a vehicle while impaired during that time.
“Instead of being selfish even on the roads look out for other people because the life you save may be your own or one of your relatives,” Patrick Holivay from Cleveland said.
According to AAA, the best time to travel is Sunday before 10 a.m. and Memorial Day at 11 a.m.