Community Corner

AAA Predicts Increase in Holiday Traffic

The end of December and the beginning of January will mean clogged roads.

The American Automobile Association is predicting a 3.1 percent rise in travel this Christmas season, with 92.3 million Americans traveling 50 miles or more around the holiday.

Nine out of 10 of them, AAA says, will drive. 

The automotive group said that approximately 85.7 million people (93 percent of all holiday travelers) will drive to their destinations. That represents a 3.2 percent increase from the 83 million who drove last year.

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AAA chalks up the spike in driving to mild optimism over the economy.

 "After a challenging year in 2009, a modestly improved economic environment and pent-up demand resulted in more Americans traveling in 2010, and the year-end holidays are no exception."," said Glen MacDonell, director, AAA Travel Services.

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