TOPEKA, Kan. (May 23, 2017) – The West North Central Region*, of which Kansas is a part, will see more than 3.3 million people taking Memorial Day weekend trips of 50 miles or longer, a 2.1 percent increase over 2016 and the largest number of travelers since 2005, according to AAA. More than 2.9 million of those travelers, or 88 percent, will be traveling by car. Travel by air and other forms of transport (cruises, bus and trains) is also projected to increase for the kickoff of the summer 2017 travel season.

Nationwide, AAA projects that 39.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home this Memorial Day weekend. That is one million more travelers than last year taking to the roads, skies, rails and water, creating the highest Memorial Day travel volume since 2005.

“The expected spike in Memorial Day travel mirrors the positive growth seen throughout the travel industry this year,” said Jennifer Haugh, AAA Kansas spokeswoman. “Higher confidence has led to more consumer spending, and many Americans are choosing to allocate their extra money on travel this Memorial Day.”

The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 25 to Monday, May 29.

By the Numbers: Memorial Day Travel Forecast

• 2017 will mark the third consecutive year of growth in Memorial Day travel with 2.7 percent more travelers than last year.
• 34.6 million Americans (88.1 percent of travelers) will drive to their destinations, an increase of 2.5 percent over last year.
• 2.9 million Americans are taking to the skies this Memorial Day, increasing air travel by 5.7 percent over last year.
• 1.75 million travelers, an increase 3.2 percent from 2016, will look to other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses.
• Drivers will pay the highest Memorial Day gas prices since 2015. Airfares, car rental rates and mid-range hotels are all trending higher than last Memorial Day.

Travelers still hitting the road despite higher gas prices
While AAA expects most U.S. drivers will pay the highest Memorial Day gas prices since 2015, the vast majority of holiday travelers (88.1 percent) are still planning to hit the road. Automobile travel will grow by 2.5 percent this Memorial Day, with 34.6 million Americans planning a holiday road trip.

The average price for a gallon of gas today is:

• National:  $2.36 (8 cents more than last year)
• Kansas:  $2.16 (6 cents more than last year)

Dangerous Kansas roadways will be even busier

In Kansas to date through May, vehicle crash fatalities in 2017 are already significantly higher than recent years, with nine days remaining in the month:

Year                                     Crash Fatalities Through May

2017                                    162^#

2016                                    154

2015                                    121

2014                                    151

2013                                    124

^# 2017 totals through May, 22, 2017                          

AAA Kansas reminds drivers to take the following safety precautions on the road:

• Drive distraction-free. Do not text or engage in distracting activities while driving, including interacting with a cell phone, talking with passengers or looking at other objects in the vehicle.
• Stick to the speed limit. Posted speed limits are based on safe driving in optimal conditions. Slow down if weather conditions or traffic congestion warrant it.
• Buckle up. Seat belts are the single most effective means of reducing the risk of death in a crash and have saved nearly 300,000 lives since 1975 in the United States alone.
• Comply with the Move Over Law. Observe the Move Over Law when law enforcement or emergency vehicles are on the side of the road. Change lanes or slow down to give sufficient clearance. This is the law in all 50 states.
• Pull out of the traffic lanes if your car breaks down. If faced with a vehicle emergency, safely steer your car off the roadway. Turn on the emergency flashers to alert other drivers and exit the vehicle on the side facing away from traffic if possible. Once everyone is in a safe location, request assistance from a road service provider.

AAA Kansas to rescue 1,400 motorists this Memorial Day weekend

AAA Kansas Roadside Assistance expects to rescue approximately 1,400 motorists in Kansas during the Memorial Day holiday travel period, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires. AAA projects more than 330,000 Roadside Assistance calls nationwide Memorial Day weekend.

“Summer heat takes a toll on vehicles, causing overheating engines, tire blowouts and dead batteries,” said AAA Kansas’ Haugh. “Having a disabled vehicle is a stressful and dangerous situation, which is why AAA urges drivers to stock an emergency kit, have their battery tested and inspect tires to make certain their cars are in road-ready condition.”

Unfortunately, AAA has found that many drivers are unprepared for roadside emergencies. Survey data shows that two-thirds of American drivers have never proactively had their car battery tested, 1 in 5 do not know how to change a tire and 4 in 10 do not carry an emergency kit in their vehicle.

AAA also reminds motorists to get in the habit of locking doors from the outside or keeping a spare key in their wallet or purse. AAA responds to a larger percentage of members that have locked their keys in the car over the holiday than the rest of the summer. Also, have vehicles inspected by a trusted repair shop, such as one of the nearly 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America. Members can download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com or call 1-800-AAA-HELP to request roadside assistance.

Large increases in flying and travel by other modes this Memorial Day
While road trips continue to reign supreme for Memorial Day, more Americans will fly, ride the train or bus, or take a cruise vacation compared to last year. Air travel is expected to increase 5.7 percent over last year, with 2.9 million Americans taking to the skies this Memorial Day. Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will increase 3.2 percent, to 1.75 million travelers.

Airfares, hotel and car rental rates on the rise
According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes will be 9 percent higher this Memorial Day, with an average round trip ticket landing at $181. Hotel costs have also increased since last Memorial Day, with the average AAA Three Diamond Rated hotel costing $215, or 18 percent more than last year. Daily car rental rates will average $66, which is 7 percent more than last year.

Many Memorial Day vacationers traveling abroad this year
While the vast majority of travelers are planning a Memorial Day road trip, many other Americans will take advantage of the long holiday weekend and travel internationally, with Europe especially popular this year. The top destinations for Memorial Day weekend, based on AAA travel bookings, are:

1. Orlando, Florida
2. Rome, Italy
3. London, England
4. Dublin, Ireland
5. Vancouver, Canada
6. Seattle, Washington
7. Las Vegas, Nevada
8. New York, New York
9. Paris, France
10. Honolulu, Hawaii

Download the AAA Mobile app before a Memorial Day getaway
Before setting out for Memorial Day, download the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Travelers can use the app to map a route, find lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts, make travel arrangements, request AAA roadside assistance, find AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities and more. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

With the AAA Mobile app, travelers can also find nearly 59,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants. AAA’s is the only rating system that uses full-time, professionally trained evaluators to inspect each property on an annual basis. Every AAA Approved establishment offers the assurance of acceptable cleanliness, comfort and hospitality, and ratings of One to Five Diamonds help travelers find the right match for amenities and services.

Fort Riley’s Combined Graduation Ceremony will take place this Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan.

More than 200 graduates (service members, family members, and civilian employees) will walk in the ceremony and receive a certificate or associate’s, bachelors or master’s degree from their respective colleges and universities.

The event is open to the public (friends, families, and co-workers).  Fort Riley and 1st Infantry Division Acting Senior Commander Brig. Gen. Patrick Frank will deliver the commencement address.

MANHATTAN — Summer can be a great time for kids to get active outdoors, so making exercise a priority and fun is important, according to a Kansas State University exercise behavioral scientist.

“There are so many fun activities kids can do to get exercise over the summer; it would be a shame for them to spend those months in front of the television,” said Katie Heinrich, associate professor of exercise behavioral science and director of the kinesiology department’s Functional Intensity Training Lab.

Heinrich said sedentary activity, or uninterrupted hours of sitting, is its own risk factor for obesity and type 2 diabetes, even among children. This risk can be heightened in the summer, especially for children from low-income schools. A study found that over summer break, children from low-income schools decreased their cardiovascular fitness and increased their body mass index.

“All children need to be active over the summer, but some groups of children are at even greater risk for not getting enough physical activity,” Heinrich said. “It’s up to parents to make sure physical activity is part of their children’s routines.”

Heinrich said children need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each day, ideally with a mixture of cardiovascular, muscle-building and bone-strengthening activities. Moderate exercise raises heart and breathing rates slightly above resting rates, and vigorous exercise causes participants to need to stop to catch their breath.

Traditional summertime activities that have cardiovascular benefit include bicycling, swimming and playing tag. Heinrich said children can build muscle by climbing on playground equipment, and they can strengthen their bones by jumping rope.

Heinrich said the two main keys for making summer exercise sustainable all season long are to engage in it together and to make it desirable to the child.

“Instead of just telling your child to go outside, play with them and show them how to enjoy the activity,” Heinrich said. “Kids want to do behaviors they see their parents model, so if the parent sits and watches TV, that’s what the child will want to do.”

Instead of turning on an exercise video or lifting weights, Heinrich advises enjoying the outdoors together and even implementing a bit of friendly competition.

“Remember that kids prefer games and fun activities over routine exercise,” she said. “If you can get them moving because it’s fun — not because they have to — that’s the biggest win.”