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"Despite the fact that gasoline prices have gone down significantly since last year, there will be fewer motorists on the road this Labor Day weekend. \"They are estimating 39.1 million folks will be traveling this year,\" said Fran Mayko, spokesman for the Connecticut Motor Club Division of AAA Southern New England. \"That's a 13.3 million decrease from last year.\" Mayko said there were 45.4 million people traveling in the state last Labor Day weekend. She said the reason for the decrease in travel is not because of the gas prices, which have dropped since last year when the average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.81. This year the cost is about $2.84 per gallon. Mayko said the most probable reason for the decline in traffic is the calendar year. \"Labor Day is falling late this year, many schools have already gone back,\" said Mayko. She said that last year, the holiday fell on Sept. 1, and usually schools don't begin until after Labor Day. But this year, with a later date for the holiday, many schools are already in session and Mayko said many parents don't want to take their kids out of school for a long weekend. But state police are still gearing for a high volume of traffic on state roads this weekend, according to Lt. J. Paul Vance, state police spokesman. \"There will be higher than normal traffic on the highways and secondary roads,\" said Vance, adding the Labor Day weekend is usually considered a last \"hurrah\" for most people because it symbolizes the last weekend of the summer. He said many residents will be utilizing state parks for picnics as well as hosting picnics at their homes, so residents should be aware that there will be a number of DUI checkpoints set up over the holiday weekend. There will also be extra troopers patrolling the major highways looking for speeders, he said. Vance said drivers need to be aware of what they're doing on the roadways in order to keep themselves safe and avoid accidents. \"Allow extra time, slow down, and don't use cell phones while driving,\" said Vance. The weather for this holiday looks to be sunny and warm, according to meteorologist Bill Jacquemin from the Connecticut Weather Center. He said the temperatures will reach a high of 75 to 80 degrees all weekend long. Jacquemin said that there is only one thing that could alter this weekend's beautiful weather. Her name is Erika. \"There is a tropical storm in the Caribbean, we don't know where it's going, but we're not expecting any impact, we're not forecasting it,\" said Jacquemin. He said even though he doesn't believe Erika will pose a threat, they are still going to be watching her progress very closely. According to Department of Environmental Protection, the water quality for Connecticut's shoreline beaches is good. But there will be fewer lifeguards at state swimming areas this holiday weekend, according to Dennis Schain of the DEP. He said any swimming area where there are no lifeguards on duty will be posted with signs containing this information and visitors will also be notified when entering the park by park staff. \"This year because the holiday falls so late, we've seen most of our lifeguards return to school before the holiday weekend,\" said DEP acting Commissioner Amey Marrella. \"As people enjoy the beach and water this weekend, remember to watch your children, swim only in approved areas and never swim alone.\""
<https://www.newstimes.com/local/article/Late-Labor-Day-keeps-more-off-the-road-24495.php>