This time a year ago, many North Carolina residents decided to stay home on the last holiday of the summer season due to high gas prices and skepticism about the economy. With confidence increasing on both fronts, more vehicles will be on the road this weekend.
According to AAA Carolinas, about 972,600 North Carolina residents will travel more than 50 miles from home during the Labor Day holiday, a 5 percent increase from 2012.
Gas prices are a major reason for the confidence of residents in the state. As of Friday, the average price for a gallon of gas in North Carolina is $3.50, a 22-cent decrease from last year.
“The economy is much better, compared to this time last year and more families are getting on the road,” Carolina AAA Director of Communications Angela Daley said. “Many families stayed home because of the recession. Now, with gas prices at their lowest since 2010, it encourages people to travel.”
Adrian King, director of Pride of Kinston, went to Atlantic Beach on Friday to visit friends. King said with gas prices dropping, travelers can enjoy more of a reprieve.
“In the last several years, the price of gas has gone all over the map,” King said. “It’s a real depressant, almost like drinking liquor. Gas is such an essential resource for traveling, whether it’s for business or leisure, so when prices go up, it puts a pall on everything. Every little bit helps.
The only real increase travelers would deal with this year compared to last year involves car rental. The average car rental rate in the state is $51 per day, a $12 rise from 2012.
“Many car rental services have lower inventories,” Daley said. “If they have a higher inventory, the rates will be lower. Last year, they sold a lot of their vehicles and don’t have as many in stock to provide.”
With the abundance of cars on the road and events planned throughout the weekend, the risk of accidents increase, especially from drunk driving. Throughout the state, law enforcement has enforced its “Booze It and Lose It” campaign, which has run since Aug. 16 and will run through Monday.
Kinston Department of Public Safety Director Bill Johnson said the city has been active in the campaign and all officers have been paying close attention to traffic.
“The officers will be more alert for drunk drivers, and there will be one officer each shift who will primarily focus on traffic violations,” Johnson said. “Traditionally, you will see more people visiting and passing through the city because of the holiday. We want to limit the probability of more accidents and injuries.”
Of course, not everyone in the area is looking to travel. For Greenville resident Arab Barfield, his vacation will be enjoyed within the city.
“I just plan to hang out, go to a couple of ECU parties and chill,” Barfield said.
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.