Although Memorial Day commemorates those who have served the country, the holiday truly feels like the first weekend of summer. It lands on May 30th this year, and as the sun begins to heat up, the holiday will also be celebrating the unofficial start of summer for many Connecticut residents. With the warm weather escalating this Memorial Day weekend, travel demands will be up all around Connecticut and the coastline.

Demand for Travel as Prices Continue to Soar High this Memorial Day Weekend

Demands for flight and road travel are expected to increase throughout the country as Memorial Day weekend arrives. AAA is predicting almost 39 million people will be out during the holiday weekend, which is an 8% increase from 2021. 3 million of these people will be expected to travel by air, a 25% increase from last year, while 35 million people will be traveling on the roads.  

These travel statistics are the highest seen in almost two years, competing with pre-pandemic levels. Some find these numbers surprising, as costs for travel have increased recently due to overall inflation. During the pandemic, flight demand was not high. Prices for these flights increased and tickets continued to be expensive into this year. Additionally, inflation in recent months for airline tickets has shot up 25%, with airfare inflation in April 2022 increasing by 18.6%. Overall inflation for gas prices has also shot up 8%. Adding this all together, any type of travel has become more costly since the beginning of the pandemic, which has caused fewer people to travel in the last two years.

To travel this Memorial Day weekend, experts say there are many ways to save this season through flights or on the road. If you plan to fly, book your tickets through travel agents to find deals that may only be available through them. For future endeavors, flexibility is needed to save on flights, so experts say to plan your trips ahead of time to find cheaper flights. Another way to save up for costly flights is to redeem points and miles through travel rewards and programs. Over time, travel experts say they can add up and save you money when flights or gas get expensive.  

COVID Cases Cause Concern for Travelers

Recent increases in COVID cases have also caused some concern for Memorial Day travelers. There have been higher levels of COVID transmissions both throughout the state and the country, with a 13.24% positivity rate in Connecticut as of May 12th, and the seven-day average of COVID cases throughout the country rising above 100,000 cases for the first time since February 18th. 

Although these cases of COVID are still increasing, Memorial Day traveling does not look to be dropping anytime soon. Experts remind everyone that it is important to consider one’s own health, if they are at high risk for COVID, and to remember to wear a mask when traveling during Memorial Day weekend. 

Avoid Spending Bail Money During Memorial Day Weekend 

Holidays like Memorial Day can be the cause for large celebrations, especially extravagant ones with alcohol, as travel is ramping up once more. This can lead to running ins with the law if people are not careful. DUIs are very common on holiday celebrations where alcohol intoxication causes people to make poor decisions, including getting behind the wheel while drunk. There are many ways to avoid fatal crashes, landing in jail, and spending bail money during the celebratory weekend.  

A DUI charge happens when someone “operates a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs” and is listed as a criminal offense under the law. The first conviction of a DUI can lead to 6-months of jail time and a maximum fine of $1,000. A second offense of a DUI charge increases punishments severely. Fines can reach up to $4,000 and can land the defendant in jail for 2 years. Charges for subsequent offenses also harshly increase if convicted for multiple DUIs.

If a defendant has three or more DUI charges in under 10 years, jail time can reach up to 3 years, with fines stretching to $8,000. The defendant’s driver’s license can also be permanently revoked by the state of Connecticut. When it comes to bail for DUI charges, it depends on the circumstances. DUI bail can range anywhere from $500 to $10,000 or more.  

If you ever feel tipsy or drunk, instead of getting behind the wheel, utilize the many services that CT offers to prevent fatal road accidents due to drunk driving. Down below is a list of taxi companies that run through the state of Connecticut:

• Uber Taxi Service 
• The CT Yellow Cab 
• Metro Taxi 
• Ace Taxi Service in CT 

Additionally, Connecticut has public bus systems and train lines operating throughout the state, offering another way to prevent drunk driving. Free bus transportation is still available through June 30th. To avoid getting behind the wheel, plan ahead to stay at a friend’s place or a hotel, so you don’t have to worry about driving home after any alcohol-induced celebrations. With these preventative measures, you can avoid DUI charges, arrest, and spending bail money on the holiday weekend.  

As Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner, keep in mind increasing traveling prices and rising COVID cases so you and your family can plan to enjoy the holiday weekend. 3-D Bail Bonds will be available 24/7 to provide bail bond services to residents across the state.