Associations offe.r suggestions for holiday travelers

by John O'Donnell staff writer

The Thanksgiving holiday is traditionally the most traveled holiday of the year. The busiest times are Wednesday afternoon and Sunday evening.

There will be a mass exodus of Cabrini students from campus when classes officially end at on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Travelers should expect congestion on the roads exiting the campus.

The American Automobile Association has published tips on making auto travel easier during this weekend.

Before leaving, car travelers should check tires, oil, windshield wipers and windshield wiper fluid. Pack an ice scraper.

Travelers should dress comfortably, bring snacks, bottled water or juice and carry emergency items including a flashlight, road flares and a cell phone. Travelers should also plan their route before leaving and keep a map in their car. Get a good night's sleep and try to travel before or after peak hours.

The American Travel Society reports that holidays are a relatively safe time of the year to travel. Lower fatality rates during the holidays can be attributed to the high proportion of interstate highway driving and a greater police presence. Although highway fatalities decrease during the holidays, alcohol related deaths increase.

For those traveling by train, Amtrak is planning to increase the number of trains and add coaches to existing trains. Amtrak expects their volume to increase about 25 percent over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Federal Aviation Authority offers advice to air travelers. Air travel doubles during this extended weekend. The FAA suggests arriving at the airport at least one hour before your scheduled departure.

Pack lightly so that you can carry all of your bags onto the plane. This will spare you from having to wait to retrieve your luggage when your plane lands. Keep your photo I.D. handy and watch your bags at all times.

Cabrini public safety director, Charles Schaffner, urges all students to make sure that they leave their dorm rooms secure.

"Lock your doors and if you don't take your valuables with you, make sure they are put away in a safe place," Schaffner said.

He wishes all students a safe trip home, asks them to leave the campus in an orderly fashion, and above all, cautions them not to drink and drive.

Driver Safety lips~

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* Check oil. windshield wipers and tires before leaving

* Dress comfortably and bring along food and drink

* Try to travel before or after peak driving hours