HARTFORD — Millions of Americans are traveling this week to make it home for the holidays.
AAA says 98.6 million people will travel this holiday season, up from last year, in part due to cheaper gas and airline fares.
In New England, AAA reports 4.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home, that’s an increase of about 4 percent from last year.
They’re also projecting 3.7 million New Englanders will travel by car and 358,000 will choose to travel by air.
Gas prices across the country are down. In New England gas prices are averaging $2.77 a gallon, last year during this time it was $3.67 a gallon.
According to AAA, air fares are down 7 percent but hotel and rental care fees are up about 4 percent.
With all that said, Connecticut State Troopers are not taking holiday travel lightly, they’re out patrolling the roads as part of Operation S.A.N.T.A. which stands for Stop Another Needless Tragic Accident.
The step up in patrols began Tuesday. Troopers have set up checkpoints in search of drunk drivers and they’re also keeping an eye on drivers using cellphone and people not wearing seatbelts. They’re message is clear – drive safe or get pulled over.
“It’s some other bystander, somebody’s father, son, mother, daughter, who ends up getting seriously injured or dies from it and it’s the direct result of someone who was acting negligently,” said Trooper Christopher Meier.
