By Craig Anderson
Delaware State News

DOVER — Factor in key economic drivers — the price of gas and money in the pocket when the paycheck arrives — and there’s just as much reason to travel this Memorial Day holiday as last year.

Thus, AAA Mid-Atlantic is expecting highway traffic to resemble 2012. And the annual advice to leave early and avoid peak travel times still stands, along with making a vehicle check for proper tire pressure and battery charge.

While gas prices are down a nickel per gallon from last year, the counter-balance was a change in federal withholding taxes that lessened paychecks beginning in January.

“We’re looking at travel density numbers as being roughly flat from last year,” AAA spokesman Jim Lardear said.

AAA estimated that 96,000 Delawareans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the weekend, and 90 percent of them will do it by driving. Mr. Lardear said AAA would staff appropriately for the projected numbers, and expects Tuesday to be an especially big day for roadside assistance calls.

According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, traffic through the Del. 1 Dover Toll Plaza peaks on Friday and Monday, and is lowest on Sunday.

“If you can, it’s advisable to travel at off-peak times,” Mr. Lardear said. “If not, some patience will be required on the highways.”

The Office of Highway Safety will continue its Click It of Ticket campaign designed to increase driver’s safety by seat belt enforcement at all times.

“As we kick off the busy summer driving season it’s important that everyone buckles up every time they go out, both day and night — no excuses,” OHS Director Jana Simpler said in a press release.

“Delaware law enforcement officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt — Click It or Ticket.”

Drivers and passengers traveling in an unbelted mode will be ticketed if spotted by police, state officials said.

The state cited numbers indicating unrestrained fatal crashes in Delaware as on the rise — 53 percent of fatal victims have been unbuckled occupants this year, compared to 29 percent in 2012. Seventeen people have died in a fatal vehicle crash this year.

Besides the potential catastrophic loss of life associated with not wearing a seat belt, ticket costs total $83.50 are assessed to the driver.

“Troopers urge motorists to make safety a top priority by properly buckling up!” Delaware State Police Sgt. Paul G. Shavack said in a press release. “Being properly restrained can substantially reduce your risk of being involved and/or injured in a crash. Remember, there is never a good excuse to ride in a vehicle without wearing a seat belt.”

While the nature of traffic can be affected by accidents and unforeseen roadway incidents, DelDOT is suspending lane closures on Del. 1, U.S. 95 and U.S. 202 to help limit delays. The closures begin Friday and will run through midnight Monday, DelDOT said.

Motorists can tune into AM radio station WTMC-1380 to monitor existing traffic conditions. Any travel or traffic related issues can be called into 659-4600 or 1-800-324-8379 or by dialing 77 on a cell phone.

More information is available online at www.DelDOT.gov.

Through the Delaware Beach HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, the beach area roadways will be safer thanks to fewer impaired motorists behind the wheel. The campaign focuses on increasing designated drivers through tavern owners providing free nonalcoholic beverages throughout the summer.

More than 40 restaurants and bars have already signed up for the program, officials said in a press release.

The program was started by Bill Elliott, whose son John (a recent United States Naval Academy graduate) was killed by a drunken driver in 2000 while on the way home for his mother’s birthday. The driver had been released after being arrested for driving while intoxicated, a press release said, and began driving again before killing himself and John Elliott.

“We are working to sign up as many bars as possible with the campaign,” Bill Elliott, the campaign’s founder and chairman, said in a press release.

“We want people to see a HERO Campaign sticker on the door of these taverns and know that the establishment is trying to keep people safe.”

For more information, call 609-626-3880 or go online to www.herocampaign.org.

Delaware State News