Drivers asked to be cautious while traveling for Memorial Day weekend

Krystal Frasier KSTP

(KSTP/FILE)

AAA predicts nearly 40 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, and for those going far, it will be costly.

According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas is $4.50, an all-time high. In Minnesota, the price per gallon is $4.22 – an increase of seven cents from last week.

Due to the busy travel weekend, Department of Public Safety is reminding Minnesotans to stay safe on the road.

There will be extra traffic with campers and trailers for the next few weeks starting this weekend, making the days between Memorial Day to Labor Day the 100 deadliest days for traffic deaths in the state.

As previously reported, last summer there were 179 people died over the 100 day stretch during the summer of 2021 in Minnesota, the deadliest for travelers in the state since 2007.

Across the nation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says nearly 43,000 people died on U.S. roads last year, the highest number in 16 years. Preliminary figures show 42,915 people died in crashes, however, final figures will be released in the fall.

There will be extra seat belt patrols through June 5, and extra speed enforcement during the month of July.

The DPS says its Click It or Ticket statewide seat belt enforcement campaign is already underway, and will run through June 5.

In addition, the Minnesota State Patrol says HEAT Patrols will be focusing on a stretch of I-494 Friday from I-94 to Highway 169, as well as the surrounding areas.

You can find the latest traffic conditions across the state by CLICKING HERE.