MORNING HEADLINES | Holiday travel on the highway and flyway is going to be busy, with a record 8 million air passengers expected by Dec. 31 and more than 122.4 million Americans on the road, experts predict.
In Charleston, for example, airport officials say Thanksgiving set a new record, with more than 142,000 passengers moving through the terminal in just six days. That momentum is expected to continue through Christmas and into the new year, with at least 230,000 passengers projected this holiday season.
“We do plan ahead,” said Spencer Pryor, an executive at Charleston International Airport. “If we know that Saturday is going to be a huge day, we bring on additional personnel. We also bring in additional law enforcement officers to work the front curb to make sure folks are safe. It’s a collaborative effort that starts months in advance to make sure everything goes as it should.”
Extra help isn’t just going to be at the airports either, as law enforcement around the state are increasing patrols to help keep roadways and drivers safe.
“With the holidays right around the corner, we know that people are going to be traveling,” said a spokesperson from the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office. “Increased numbers of people are traveling for the holidays, and we just want to make sure that everybody’s safe.”
INRIX, a global company that provides real-time historical data, analytics, and software for transportation, suggests hitting the road before 10 a.m. before Christmas to avoid sitting in traffic. Between 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., the company predicts, will see clogged roadways.
The S.C. Department of Transportation also provides real-time traffic updates across the state using an interactive map.
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