What to expect for holiday travel

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is expecting more than 45 million people to be traveling this Thanksgiving.

That’s the most people traveling on the holiday season since the year 2007.

ABC 17’s Sharon Ray also said weather could be a potential factor in travel for Mid-Missourians this week.

Everyone from Highway Patrol to MODOT are letting people know the roadways will be busy this week.

They said travelers can expect people to see more traffic congestion, car accidents and aggravated drivers.

ABC 17’s Chief Meteorologist, Sharon Ray, said there’s a slight chance for snow Wednesday morning.

“The snow that I see coming in Wednesday morning looks like it will be very slight, so the main roads shouldn’t have any issues,” said Sharon.

She said before people head out the door for Thanksgiving to get the latest weather conditions.

“Get the latest information and the conditions before you leave. So, don’t just head out the door thinking what you heard last night is going to be what you encounter.”

Although the chance for snow is low, Sharon said it’s best to try and avoid any precipitation if you can get around it, especially in the winter months.

Going back to the Highway Patrol’s warnings to travelers… They said the risk for impaired drivers is higher during Thanksgiving.

Mothers against drunk driving report nearly 40 percent of all traffic accidents on Thanksgiving are somehow related to alcohol.

The Patrol also said just the rise in drunk driving doesn’t end after Thanksgiving, but lasts until New Years.