Thanksgiving Travel
By: Julie Musgrave
Updated: November 25, 2008
This Thanksgiving, gas prices are giving a lot of folks plenty to be thankful for -- like the ability to afford the cost of travel to see loved ones. But that also means there's going to be a lot more cars on the road this holiday weekend.
This summer all the talk was about high gas prices and folks not being able to afford summer vacations.Now -- they're taking advantage of lower prices like at Bolton's, just $1.52, and are filling up for a holiday on the road.
Gas stations all across town are busy with patrons filling up their tanks, and not emptying their wallets for the first time in several months. However, with affordable gas comes more cars on the road. So DPS officials are warning folks to be extra careful when you're driving.
Things like buckling your seatbelt and obeying all traffic laws are even more important to remember, also be courteous to other drivers.
Folks we talked to filling up today are just grateful they can afford to visit their loved ones. Corporal Gonzales with Lubbock DPS says his team will be increasing patrols and looking out to make sure everyone gets to their destination safely.
Cpl. John Gonzales: "Gas is going down, they say it may go down even more. I think absolutely people will take advantage of that. Because next year this time, they don't know what's going to take place with gas"
Fernando Garcia, Traveling for Thanksgiving: "It does make it a lot better for people like myself, who want to visit their family, it doesn't cost as much like it would. If i came out here at 3, 4 dollars a gallon it would've cost me $300 or more just to come here."
Corporal Gonzales says tomorrow is expected to be the busiest day of travel, so make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
