Crowded roads, scattered thunderstorms expected for Myrtle Beach area’s Fourth of July weekend
More people than ever before are expected on South Carolina roads this holiday weekend.
AAA estimates 541,000 people should hit S.C. road this Friday through Sunday, the highest number of travelers since 2001, according to Tiffany Wright, public relations manager for AAA Carolinas. Cheap gas prices and summer weather contribute to the increase, especially for the expected 14,000 people driving more than 50 miles from their homes.
“Independence Day is the busiest summer travel day anyway, because kids are out of school and it’s the perfect time for families to take vacation,” Wright said. “But the cheaper gas prices is what’s giving families their spending money.”
For all those folks hitting the roads and coming to the Myrtle Beach area, troopers with the S.C. Highway Patrol said Thursday they will be monitoring traffic and watching for impaired driving and violations to keep motorist safe.
“With travel expected to be up, we are asking all motorists to help us achieve zero traffic fatalities during the July 4th weekend,” said Leroy Smith, director of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. “We know that July 4th is also a time when many people will be attending celebrations where alcohol is served. Please plan ahead and designate a driver.”
As of July 1, there had been 435 people killed on state roads, compared to the 381 people killed during the same time last year, troopers said. Those include 48 pedestrians, 57 motorcyclists and eight bicyclists in the state.
“Troopers will be looking for some of the leading violations that lead to collisions and fatalities, including DUI, speed and safety belts,” said Col. Mike Oliver with the highway patrol.
Those traveling to the Myrtle Beach area will experience mostly sunny skies, but there will be chances for late afternoon and evening scattered thunderstorms, according to forecasters with the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C.
Through Sunday, the rainfall from the storms shouldn’t exceed two inches, said Michael Caropolo, meterologist-in-charge with the weather service. For the Fourth of July evening, weather will be partly cloudy with temperates in the 80s for the Grand Strand.
Gas prices have dropped nationally and statewide over the past few months, according to Gregg Laskoski, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy, a community-based price comparison app.
Gas prices declined in the summer over the last 3 years, even during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Laskoski said. This year is no different.
“That may catch some consumers by surprise because a lot of us are hard-wired to expect prices to go up for a major holiday,” Laskoski said.
South Carolinians will pay about 96 cents a gallon less this year than in 2014, Laskoski said. Prices have declined little by little over the past few summers, starting in April and lasting until around August, Laskoski said.
Since fuel prices have dipped considerable over last year, people have more money for vacations; thus the increase in road traffic.
“People will save about $700 in gas this year over last, so they may be more inclined to travel,” Laskoski said.
Many people are choosing to use money saved on gas to camp at state parks, including Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet. J.W. Weatherford, assistant park manager, said Fourth of July weekend is the busiest time for all 47 S.C. parks.
“It’s a family weekend,” Weatherford said. “When you think of independence, you think about being outside watching fireworks or grilling out; state parks are perfect for that environment.”
Most of Huntington’s campsites are already booked for the weekend and Weatherford expects Saturday – the actual July Fourth holiday – to be extra busy. Fortunately, a predicted low ocean tide should provide plenty of beach for everyone, he said.
“We have so much in our small state to see – from the mountains to the ocean – with gas prices going down Carolinians have so many opportunities to see this great state.”
Contact CLAIRE BYUN at 626-0381 and follow her on Twitter @Claire_TSN.
Here are some safety tips when traveling from the S.C. Highway Patrol
▪ Check your vehicles’ fluids and tires before getting on the road. The high temperatures can cause blow-outs on tires without much tread.
▪ If you break down or are involved in a minor crash, pull off the roadway as far as possible, activate your emergency flashers and call authorities.
▪ Move over for emergency vehicles or workers.
▪ Get real-time traffic information at www.scdps.gov/schp or highway infromation at www.511.sc.org
This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Crowded roads, scattered thunderstorms expected for Myrtle Beach area’s Fourth of July weekend."