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Holiday Driving Numbers Up In Oklahoma

gray car driving down the road
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A record number of Oklahomans are expected to hit the roads and the skies during the end-of-the-year holiday season.

AAA Oklahoma says 862,000 Oklahomans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the last two weeks of December.

AAA Oklahoma spokesman Chuck Mai says the number of Oklahoma travelers marks a 1 percent increase over last year's numbers.

AAA Oklahoma says it's the fifth consecutive year that the state has seen an increase in holiday travelers. The overall number of Oklahoma travelers is the highest-ever recorded for the year-end travel period.

AAA Oklahoma says 94 percent of Oklahoma travelers will drive to their destination. About 47,300 people in Oklahoma will be flying to their destination, which is a decrease of 0.5 percent from last year.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is urging drivers not to drink and drive and keep themselves and their passengers safe.

OHP Col. Ricky Adams says troopers are passionate and committed to the safety of Oklahomans and those traveling the roadways. Troopers and other law enforcement agencies will be out in full force across the state cracking down on drunk drivers, aggressive speed, child restraints and seat belt enforcement.

The highway patrol has a "zero tolerance" policy on drinking and driving. Adams says troopers want the public to be safe when operating a motor vehicle as the state continues to cut down on the number of fatality accidents it has each year.

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