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Heavier traffic, higher risks expected on Valentine’s Day weekend

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Michigan drivers are being urged to stay safe and alert over the Valentine’s Day weekend

AAA is urging drivers to stay safe as they plan for Valentine’s Day outings. They say as more couples go out for romantic dinners, parties, and late-night outings, officials expect an increase in dangerous driving behaviors.

Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman for AAA - The Auto Club Group says quote, “A Saturday holiday is likely to bring heavier traffic, more celebrations, and a higher risk of impaired and distracted driving,” adding, “If your evening includes drinks or you know the night will be busy and distracting, plan your ride ahead of time.” End quote.

According to NHTSA, more than 3,000 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in 2023. Even a quick glance at a phone to check a message or confirm a reservation can lead to a serious or fatal crash.

Triple-A encourages drivers to program the GPS before leaving, ask a passenger to help with directions and to slow down in busy areas.

And with Valentines Days falling on a Saturday, they say alcohol consumption is expected to rise as more couples go out.They also urge residents to designate a sober driver and use rideshares or taxis.

Jennifer is an award winning broadcast news journalist with more than two decades of professional television news experience including the nation's fifth largest news market. She's worked as both news reporter and news anchor for television and radio in markets from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo all the way to San Francisco, California.
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