AAA Chicago Reports Christmas-New Year's Travel to Set a New Record

AURORA, Ill., Dec. 23, 2004 -- Consumers' faith in the economy and their confidence in American security are expected to drive what AAA projects will be a record year for travel during the Christmas-New Year's holidays. Some 62.7 million Americans say they will take a trip 50 miles or more from home for either Christmas and/or New Year's -- a 3 percent increase from the 60.8 million who traveled this time last year.

An estimated 50.9 million people will make their trek by car -- a post September 11, 2001 record. Another 8.6 million Americans expect to fly. Both auto and air travel levels for this year represent increases from last year of 2.9 percent and 3.5 percent respectively. The remaining 3.2 million holiday travelers say they'll utilize train, bus or another mode of transportation.

"It's a bonus of sorts to have both Christmas and New Year's fall on Saturdays," says Kris Lathan, AAA Chicago spokesperson. "Given corporate America observes each holiday the Friday before, it offers a chance to seize vacation opportunities afforded from having two long holiday weekends back-to- back."

AAA Chicago notes than an estimated 8.9 million travelers will originate from the Great Lakes region, which encompasses its footprint of Illinois and Northern Indiana, in addition to the remaining two-thirds of Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. Just under a million -- roughly 900,000 -- will fly, however the vast majority, 8 million, will be on the roads.

"With so many people, undoubtedly a good percentage of which will be families with children, expected to drive this holiday season, responsible driving is absolutely imperative," Lathan says. "It's not only the law. Plainly put: it saves lives."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), in 2003 more than 17,000 Americans died in alcohol-related crashes. This year, NHTSA projects that roughly 410 people will die in motor vehicle crashes during each holiday weekend alone -- that's 820 people over the course of two weeks. An estimated 45 percent of these expected fatalities will involve a driver with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher.

Keeping in line with its advocacy for responsible driving and ongoing campaign to reduce drunk-driving related deaths, AAA, for the third year running, is distributing its "Great Pretenders Party Guide" which features fanciful recipes for festive party snacks, particularly non-alcoholic beverages from AAA Diamond-rated restaurants and hotels. The guide also features tips for helping holiday hosts monitor alcohol consumption. For a free copy of the "Great Pretenders Party Guide" please visit any AAA Chicago branch location throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana or simply call (866) YOUR-AAA (968-7222).

For 100 years, AAA has represented the interests of the nation's motorists and served as an advocate for various traffic safety and travel-related issues. AAA Chicago has served that role in Illinois since its founding in 1906.

AAA Chicago offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 46 million members in the United States and Canada.