AAA CEO Gene Boehm on Record Holiday Travel and Road Safety

Record Holiday Travel Projections

• 🚗 AAA projects over 122 million Americans will travel this holiday season, a 2% increase from last year.
• 📈 This marks a trend of record-breaking travel year after year since the pandemic, driven by a desire to connect with loved ones.
• ✈️ While road travel is dominant, AAA also anticipates over 8 million people traveling by air, a new record.

Factors Influencing Travel Decisions

• ⛽ Low gas prices are a significant factor, with the average price at $2.85 per gallon, down from $3.04 a year ago.
• 💰 The CEO states that travel is not necessarily impacted by affordability, suggesting people prioritize travel despite economic factors.
• 🛣️ 89% of holiday travelers are expected to drive, highlighting the continued importance of road trips.

AAA's Role and Roadside Assistance

• 🛠️ AAA aims to assist travelers, projecting over 860,000 roadside rescues during the holidays.
• ⏱️ The target response time for roadside assistance is 45 minutes or less, though this can vary with high traffic.
• 🗺️ While traditional paper maps are still offered, AAA now provides digital mapping that highlights member savings opportunities.

Road Safety and Holiday Travel Tips

• ⚠️ A critical safety message is to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles and tow trucks on the roadside, as 14 roadside heroes have been killed this year.
• 🛣️ If experiencing a flat tire or vehicle issue, drivers should pull over as far as safely possible to the shoulder before calling for assistance.
• ✈️ For air travelers, it's recommended to pack patience and arrive at the airport two hours early to manage potential traffic congestion and longer TSA lines.
• 👍 The CEO expressed appreciation for the TSA's hard work in ensuring safety during the busy travel period.