OMAHA – As Labor Day weekend quickly approaches with events and activities taking place across the state, a roadside assistance company is urging motorists to do their part in keeping the roadways safe for all travelers.
According to a release from AAA, traffic crashes as of August 27 have claimed the lives of 27 people on Nebraska roadways in August. This compares with 11 deaths reported for the first 27 days of August in 2018. Traffic deaths for the year are up 16 percent compared to last year with 160 lives lost since the first of the year.
To help keep the roadways safe this holiday period, AAA is urging all motorists to obey the speed limit and never use cruise control when driving on slick or wet pavement. Also, make sure to share the road and look for motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists in the traffic mix. To prevent injuries, always buckle-up and make certain all passengers do the same; turn off cell phone when entering a vehicle and refrain from activities that take your eyes off the roadway as well as distract your mind from the primary task of driving safely.
With the holiday period filled with many exciting events such as the Nebraska State Fair, Husker football, parades, concerts and more, many Nebraskans will be out celebrating.
To help keep impaired drivers off of the roadways, Tow to Go service will be available in Nebraska beginning Friday, August 30 through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3. AAA’s network of roadside assistance providers will safely transport the driver and their vehicle to a safe location within 10 miles. Details about the program can be found at AAA.com/TowtoGo. For service during the Labor Day holiday call 855 2-TOW-2-GO.
Labor Day also marks the end of the busy summer travel season and the last big surge in gasoline demand before the fall. AAA reports that gas prices heading into the holiday weekend are lining up to be the lowest since 2016, with the average price for gasoline in Nebraska currently at $2.47 per gallon, which is 24 cents less than Labor Day 2018, and eight cents lower than 2017.
Strong US oil production rates are holding oil prices about 15 percent below last year’s levels, effectively reducing the price of producing gasoline. After Labor Day, refineries begin their seasonal switch to winter-blend gasoline which is cheaper to produce. The combination of lower demand and lower fuel production costs typically puts downward pressure on pump prices through the end of the year. For more information on fuel prices visit www.gasprices.AAA.com.