BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland transportation officials are urging residents and visitors to prioritize safety during the Thanksgiving holiday travel season, as millions are expected to journey by road, rail, and air.

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) encourages travelers to be mindful of increased traffic and plan their trips accordingly to ensure a safe journey.

“As families and friends gather to celebrate the holidays and all of the seasonal festivities, I encourage everyone to keep the joyous spirit in their travels by being safe, paying attention, taking your time and being courteous to each other,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “You can help save lives by having a plan for a sober ride and ensuring everyone is buckled up. Whether you are traveling by car, plane or train, the Maryland Department of Transportation will help you get to your destination safely.”

According to AAA, nearly 80 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. This represents a 1.7 million increase from last year and a new record across all modes of transportation. The majority of travelers, 71.74 million, will travel by car, while 5.8 million plan to fly. The remaining travelers will utilize trains, buses, or boats, according to AAA’s annual holiday survey.

With millions of people expected to be on the roads, MDOT and state law enforcement are urging drivers to maintain awareness, plan their routes ahead of time, and adhere to traffic regulations. Thanksgiving week is one of the deadliest periods on U.S. highways, according to national transportation statistics. MDOT is warning travelers to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and to exercise caution when approaching rail crossings. Holiday travel combined with holiday drinking traditionally leads to an increase in fatal crashes and injuries. This year, 505 people have died in Maryland roadway crashes – a sobering reminder that these tragedies are preventable.

MDOT emphasizes that the vast majority of crashes, fatalities, and injuries are avoidable. To ensure safety on the roads, drivers should prioritize the following:

• Drive Sober: Never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs. Plan a sober ride home.
• Buckle Up: Seat belts are the law. All passengers, including those in the back seats, should be properly secured with seat belts.
• Observe Posted Speed Limits: Reduce your speed and adhere to posted speed limits.
• Eliminate Distractions: Refrain from using your phone or engaging in any other distractions while driving. Focus your attention on the road.
• Plan for Delays: Consider traveling during off-peak hours and allow extra time for unexpected delays.
• Be Courteous to All Road Users: Drivers must be mindful of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, and exercise caution when sharing the road.
• Move Over for Emergency Vehicles: When approaching stopped, standing, or parked vehicles along the roadside, slow down or move over to provide a safe passage for emergency responders.

Law enforcement will be on patrol to enhance road safety, prevent traffic-related deaths, and apprehend suspected impaired drivers. Drivers who operate a motor vehicle while under the influence face serious consequences, including arrest, jail time, legal costs, and fines.

BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport officials anticipate robust passenger traffic over the Thanksgiving holiday, following a record-setting summer.

“We know that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and we are working with our partners to provide passengers with a convenient, efficient travel experience,” said Ricky Smith, Executive Director/CEO of BWI Marshall Airport.

To avoid potential traffic congestion, passengers are advised to allocate ample time for parking, airline ticketing, and TSA security screening. Holiday travelers are urged to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to their scheduled departure time. Motorists dropping off or picking up passengers may want to utilize the airport’s upper-level roadway, or departures level.

Real-time parking and security checkpoint information is available on the airport’s website, BWIairport.com. Passengers are reminded to pack carefully and to review the TSA’s website, TSA.gov, for information about prohibited items.

Motorists traveling Maryland’s highways should anticipate heavy congestion between Nov. 26 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Dec. 1 before 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Motorists are encouraged to consider traveling during off-peak hours when possible. To alleviate traffic congestion during the holiday period, the State Highway Administration will suspend lane closures for non-emergency roadwork from Wednesday, Nov. 27, through 9 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2. Real-time traffic conditions and live traffic cameras are available at chart.maryland.gov.

The State Highway Administration’s Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (CHART) and Maryland Transportation Authority units will be on patrol to assist motorists experiencing breakdowns or incidents. In the event of a roadside emergency, motorists should assess the situation carefully. If safe to do so, remain in the vehicle with your seat belt fastened and face forward until help arrives. If exiting the vehicle is necessary, move as far away from the vehicle and the roadway as possible.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

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