Government Grant

A record 72 million Americans are expected to drive at least 50 miles this Thanksgiving, according to AAA Travel. It’s fueled by cheaper gas prices. The Nebraska average for regular unleaded gas is $.33 lower than last year, from $3.09 a gallon in 2023 to $2.76 in 2024.According to AAA, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the worst times to travel.It certainly was unlucky for Marilyn and Wayne Zysset from Hastings.”We were headed to Minnesota, to our daughter and son-in-law’s family, and we shredded a tire about three-quarters of a mile west of here,” Marilyn said.They tried changing the tire on the shoulder of I-80 but couldn’t get the spare to release.”Well, we limped into town and took care of it here in the parking lot,” Wayne said.They called their son-in-law, who lives in Lincoln, to help out.After a few minutes, he was able to free the spare tire. “Check the air before you leave; check the air in your tires,” Marilyn said. “If you have a spare tire on the bottom of your vehicle, take it out every now and again and grease it up,” her son-in-law added.Bruce and Patty Watson were also closely checking the weather before they left Littleton, CO., to spend Thanksgiving with family in Wisconsin.”We left the night before yesterday to beat the snow in Denver. So, we started out early,” Patty said.They haven’t run into any snow so far. But they’ve seen is a lot of traffic and a lot of law enforcement. “There’s a lot of police out,” Patty said. “It makes you feel better, safer. Yeah, people driving a little slower, more responsible, because they know the cops are out there. I mean, you see them all over the place,” Bruce said.Law agencies including the Nebraska State Patrol are using highway safety grants for a “Make It Click” campaign to encourage seat belt use.”Just to make sure everybody makes it home safe for this holiday season,” NSP Trooper Mark White said.White urged travelers to pay attention to traffic and road conditions.”We could get some slick road conditions and everything like that. And, you know, everybody needs to slow down big time,” White said.He said travelers should be prepared for winter conditions, including having enough warm clothing, water and supplies to weather a few hours in the cold. And to keep cell phones charged up.He’d like motorists to remember Nebraska law requires motorists to move over to another lane if possible, for stopped law and emergency vehicles and construction workers on the roadways.”I’ve had three patrol cars struck by people just not in the right spot and not paying attention,” White said.He’d like to make sure everyone, including law officers, can enjoy Thanksgiving.”If I do see somebody getting over for me, yeah, giving them a little, you know, salute and everything like that, saying, Thanks for getting over for me,” White said. So far this year there have been 229 traffic fatalities in the state and 11 so far in November according to the Nebraska Dept. of Transportation.In 2023, there were 207 traffic deaths at this same time.Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7