39.3 million Americans expected to travel this Memorial Day weekend

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 17, 2017) – AAA projects that 39.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home this Memorial Day weekend. That is one million more travelers than last year taking to the roads, skies, rails and water, creating the highest Memorial Day travel volume since 2005.

“The expected spike in Memorial Day travel mirrors the positive growth seen throughout the travel industry this year,” said Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president, Travel and Publishing. “Higher confidence has led to more consumer spending, and many Americans are choosing to allocate their extra money on travel this Memorial Day.”

Buckle up or face a ticket – May 22-June 4

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today kicked off the annual Click It or Ticket law enforcement mobilization, bringing together the power of 10,000 agencies across the nation to crack down on seat belt use laws. The campaign is targeted to all drivers, but especially the hard-to-reach males ages 18-34 who research shows are far less likely to wear seat belts.

Click It or Ticket is a multi-pronged campaign that combines on street enforcement with a national media buy campaign that airs across TV, radio, internet, and social media to convey the message that officers are out enforcing seat belt laws. The ads, which will air in English and Spanish, generate awareness of stepped-up enforcement of seat belt laws and the increased chance of getting a ticket if you’re not buckled up.  The ads will air on television, radio and online from May 16-June 5. View them

Today’s national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.35 per gallon, which is four cents less than one week and one month ago, and 14 cents more than the same date last year. Last week, 46 states saw prices drop – some by at least 9 cents – with prices remaining steady in other parts of the country. The trending decline is due to an unseasonable glut of gasoline in the U.S. market, record high refinery production rates, moderate demand and a recent drop in crude oil prices.  

Quick Stats
The nation’s top ten markets with the largest weekly decreases include: Ohio (-9 cents), Michigan (-9 cents), Indiana (-9 cents), Illinois (-7 cents), Delaware (-6 cents), Kentucky (-6 cents), Missouri (-6 cents), Florida (-5 cents), Kansas (-5 cents) and Maryland (-4 cents).

The nation’s top ten markets with the biggest changes in the last year include: Alaska (+44 cents), Hawaii (+42 cents), Washington (+40 cents), Oregon (+34 cents), New Jersey (+30 cents), New Mexico (+27 cents), Montana (+26 cents), North Dakota (+24 cents), Nevada (+21 cents) and Pennsylvania (+21 cents).

The 2017 Jeep® Grand Cherokee premium mid-size SUV has become just the second gasoline-driven, American-made, American-brand vehicle to qualify for Japan's Eco-Car tax break. The 2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk was first.

Equipped with versions of the award-winning Pentastar V-6 engine, the 2017 Grand Cherokee and its predecessor met the strict fuel-efficiency and emissions standards allowing them to be eligible for the consumer tax incentive – worth between ¥58,000 and ¥66,000 to Grand Cherokee buyers.

"This achievement reaffirms the flagship status that Grand Cherokee enjoys among SUVs in the global market," said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand and Global Lead Executive for International Operations – FCA. "In the wake of the Cherokee's breakthrough, it also proves – as we say in off-road driving – that only a Jeep can follow another Jeep."

ATLANTA, May 5, 2017 -- Hum by Verizon earned a Stevie Award in the consumer electronics product and services category at the 2017 American Business Awards. More than 190 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's Stevie Award winners.

"Hum empowers drivers by giving them the tools to achieve peace of mind and independence," said Michael Maddux, director of product at Verizon Telematics. "It's great to see the Hum team recognized for all the work they've done to create a simple, accessible and cutting-edge product and how committed they are to delivering safer, smarter and more connected driving experience for our customers."