Auto Club Predicts Increased Numbers of Travelers Over July Fourth Weekend
2 July 1999
Auto Club Predicts Increased Numbers of Travelers Over July Fourth Weekend
LOS ANGELES--July 1, 1999--An estimated 2.7 million Southern Californians will drive to getaway destinations for the Fourth of July weekend, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.They will be among an estimated 32.4 million Americans traveling at least 100 miles by car this Independence Day weekend. A total of 37.4 million Americans will drive, fly, or take a train or bus to get away, making this the second most heavily traveled Fourth of July holiday ever. The record for July 4 travel is 38 million in 1986.
The Western United States will see an 8 percent increase in car travel compared with the same holiday period last year, according to a national survey conducted for AAA.
The most popular holiday getaway destinations for Southern California travelers, based on the number of bookings by the Auto Club's AAA Travel Agency, are:
1. Las Vegas
2. (tie) San Diego/ Central California beaches from Ventura to
Pismo Beach
3. (tie) San Francisco/ Monterey Bay
4. Mexico
5. Catalina
6. California mountain resorts including Yosemite, Sequoia,
Eastern Sierra and Big Bear
7. Grand Canyon
8. Hawaii
Southern Californians who are fueling up for a holiday trip will benefit from a 20-cent average drop in the price of gas since May. As of June 22, the average Southern California price for regular unleaded was $1.357. That's more than 10 cents a gallon higher than during the same period last year.
High temperatures are predicted for this weekend locally, so motorists should take care to inspect their vehicles before extended trips, said Steve Mazor, the Auto Club's principal automotive engineer.
"On days when temperatures reach the 90s and 100s, the number of Auto Club members experiencing breakdowns increases by 50 percent," Mazor said. "When you combine hot temperatures with high volumes of holiday traffic, the likelihood of a breakdown is even greater."
Motorists should inspect their car's fluid levels, batteries, hoses, belts and tires to make sure they are properly maintained before setting out on an extended trip, Mazor said.
For residents planning to celebrate the holiday locally, the Auto Club is providing a safe alternative to drinking and driving by offering its free Tipsy Tow service. The program is designed to help prevent tragic alcohol-related deaths and injuries in Southern California.
Motorists, bartenders, restaurant managers, party hosts or passengers of a drinking driver may call 800/400-4AAA anytime after 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 3 to request a free tow home of up to seven miles. The program will continue through midnight Sunday, July 4. Tipsy Tow service is available throughout Southern California to Auto Club members or non-members.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by the organization's emergency road service, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs and legislative advocacy. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.
