U.S. Officials Beef Up Security For Holiday Travelers Across The Nation
BALTIMORE (WJZ) --Terror threats in Europe is upping security measures here, as the busies travel week of the year gets under way.
Alex DeMetrick with the precautions and traffic Thanksgiving travelers can expect to see.
Starting right now the first of millions of Americans are on the move -- and so is law enforcement.
It's the early birds Monday who get the advantage of a head start
"I left North Carolina at six in the morning and got here," said motorist Kate Bronstein. "Good time. No traffic."
But those conditions are not going to last as Thanksgiving approaches.
And for those not choosing to drive, expect to see increased police presence in the wake of terrorist actions in Europe.
At BWI-Marshall Airport that means more than TSA screeners.
Maryland Transportation Authority Police are also upping personnel.
"We're following all the intel that comes out. We work with federal partners as well as the other allied law enforcement agencies," said Maj. Joseph Ruff. "We will have increased presence at the airport."
AAA is projecting 47 million Americas will travel by car, nearly a million in Maryland. Nationally, air travel will account for 3.6 million flying, 73,000 of which from BWI.
Trains and buses will carry 1.4 million across the country, nearly 22,000 in Maryland.
Not everyone will have a smooth trip.
"Last year in Maryland we aided about a thousand people just with tire-related issues alone," said AAA spokeswoman Ragina Averella. " So we know our road crews are going to be busy over the holiday period."
Especially if the weather takes a turn for winter.
"When you have snow on the ground and ice, it's a very, very busy day for law enforcement," said Lt. Col Anthony Satchell, with Maryland State Police.
But even in clear weather, state police expect a jump in breakdowns and accidents over the next week.
So there will be more troopers on the road.
Police and AAA are advising drivers to make sure their cars are in good working order and double check the fuel gauge. State Police say most stranded drivers run out of gas.
