It’s the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and many people are traveling for their celebrations.

Iowa State Patrol Trooper Shelby McCreedy says that there is always a large number of people who travel for Thanksgiving, but that with Covid in the last few years, there weren’t as many doing so. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio that according to predictions from AAA, this year is looking to have the heaviest amount of traffic in recent years.

“So people need to anticipate there is going to be a large number of vehicles on the roadway, which means, obviously, put your phone down, focus on what you’re doing, don’t eat in the car, don’t fall victim to any other distractions that can take place in the vehicle. And so, obviously, attention is going to be the number one.”

McCreedy mentions that people need to be aware of what days they travel as well, especially with the newer movement for “Blackout Wednesday.” She explains that on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, people attempt to drink as much as possible. McCreedy asks that drivers be cognizant of those that do drink, and that participants in Blackout Wednesday plan ahead, so that they aren’t on the roadways where they could potentially cause harm.