Tag: hit

Gas prices hit record high as travel ramps up for Memorial Day weekend

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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gas prices across the country are hitting record-highs just in time for the travel-heavy Memorial Day holiday.

AAA said Thursday that gas prices in Missouri are hitting new records every day since May 11. The nationwide average on Thursday is $4.59 and Missouri’s average is $4.19 — up $1.38 from this time last year.

Missouri has the fifth-lowest gas prices in the county; a few months ago it was battling for the lowest with Kansas.

“High demand for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel is putting upward pressure on oil prices which is causing prices to rise at the pump,” said AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria.

However, AAA still expects Memorial Day travel to increase 5% from previous years.

“Despite record-high gas prices, AAA anticipates Memorial Day Weekend travel to be busy with 34.9 million Americans hitting the road,” Chabarria said.

AAA recommends safe driving to save on fuel prices. Speeding, accelerating and stopping quickly, idling the engine and not maintaining tires can result in using more gas than necessary.

Air travel is also expected to increase over Memorial Day weekend. Airline sales have been down since the pandemic began in 2020, but AAA expects Memorial Day this year to see levels close to 2019.

“Memorial Day is always a good predictor of what’s to come for summer travel,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. “Based on our projections, summer travel isn’t just heating up, it will be on fire. People are overdue for a vacation and they are looking to catch up on some much-needed R&R in the coming months.”

To save money on flights and hotel bookings, AAA recommends planning ahead. The best time to book a flight is two weeks ahead, according to AAA, when prices will be an average of $445 per ticket. Last-minute bookers may be paying nearly double that, at an average of $845 per ticket.

American Airlines expects more than 5,700 customers daily through Memorial Day weekend. Spokesperson Gianna Urgo said the busiest day at Columbia Regional airport will be Thursday, May 26 with 5,761 scheduled flights.



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5 tips for avoiding holiday scams as Brits hit by fraud lose average of £1,168

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Airbnb and GetSafeOnline have shared top tips to avoid getting caught out by holiday scams as new research has unveiled which Brits are most vulnerable

Confused woman sitting on couch holds credit card use laptop looking at device screen
The average scam victim in the UK loses £1,168

Gen Z travellers are far more likely to fall for holiday scams than Baby Boomers, despite their reputation for computer savviness.

An eye watering 41% of Brits have either been impacted by fraud directly or know someone who has, with those hit losing an average of £1,168.

Behind stolen credit card details and phishing, holiday related fraud is the most common kind of swindling.

A fifth of Gen Z Brits – who were born between 1997 and 2012 – know someone who has been defrauded or have been defrauded themselves through a holiday scam, compared to 3% of Baby Boomers.

The data has been compiled by Airbnb and GetSafeOnline ahead of the summer holiday season getting into full swing.

Have you been the victim of a scam? Do you want to share your story? Email webtravel@trinitymirror.com







Holiday scams are a growing section of the fraud industry
(

Image:

Getty Images)

Amanda Cupples, Airbnb general manager for the UK and Northern Europe, said: “With significant demand for travel following the lifting of restrictions, we want to make sure these are trips to remember – but for all the right reasons.

“Airbnb uses sophisticated defences to keep bad actors off the platform, but it’s still possible to be caught out by scammers, which is why our work with Get Safe Online to equip people with the tools they need to keep their money safe remains so important.”

The companies have compiled a list of dos and don’ts for protecting yourself online when booking a holiday.

  1. Beware fake emails, websites, texts, and social media posts : Never click on links that you’re not expecting. These types of communications, which may have an urgent tone, can take you to seemingly authentic but fake websites, designed to either capture your personal information or infect your device with malicious software.
  2. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is: If you find accommodation on a third party website like a social media platform – especially if the deal or offer seems too good to be true – it could be a scammer. They may encourage you to pay via a direct method like a bank transfer, or through a fake website.
  3. Don’t rush in, and take time to carefully review the details: Scammers may try to pressure you to book quickly. Before you book a place to stay, read the profiles of hosts and listings thoroughly and check out the reviews and ratings left by other guests. You can also contact the Host to ask any questions before booking by using Airbnb’s secure messaging tool.
  4. Protect your account: Use a password that is different to those used on other platforms and email accounts.
  5. Don’t give a security pin to anyone : Only submit the security pin through the website or app.

In research conducted by the company by Opinium among 2,000 UK adults, the companies found that 30% of men are confident they’d never fall for a scam, compared to just 18% of women.

With strong pent-up demand for travel, scammers are exploiting new ways to target people.

Over half (51%) of Gen Z and 38% of Millennials would use a social media platform to search for accommodation, which has become a popular destination for scammers.

Yet 14% of Brits are unaware that scammers exploit fake social media accounts and fake online advertisements (15%).

Sign up to the Mirror’s travel newsletter for more holiday tips and news.

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Manchester Airport: Jet2 flights change terminals after delays hit hub | Travel News | Travel

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Tourists travelling to Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Jersey and Madeira will now leave the airport from Terminal One, while those heading for other destinations will leave from Terminal Two. It is thought the changes have happened after the airport hired a raft of new staff to try and deal with the massive surge in demand.

But according to Liverpool Echo, all travellers have been reminded to arrive at the hub, which handled nearly 30 million passengers each year before the pandemic, three hours early due to the recent queues.

A tweet from the airport said: “Travelling with @jet2tweets from Manchester Airport? Check which terminal your flight departs from before you travel.

“All Jet2 flights to and from Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Jersey and Madeira are now operating from T1. All other Jet2 flights remain in T2.”

Furious visitors recently said they’d “never seen the queues this bad”.

The issues remain in the security checkpoint area with some commenting that queues have been snaking out of the security department and into the drop off area.

Prior to the tweak, Jet2 had used Terminal Two for all of its departures.

But it is believed Manchester Airport is changing things to cope with the demand. It said 550 new recruits have taken to the airport floor since January, and a further 500 new starters are currently going through the vetting process and security training. They’ll likely work across both of its terminals.

Ian Costigan, interim managing director of Manchester Airport, said: “We want to make sure that customers get away on their travels, so everyone at Manchester Airport is focused on bringing in the extra resources we need to continue operating our full flight schedule.

“It is encouraging to see new staff joining us as a result of our ongoing recruitment drive, and we have seen security waiting times reduce in recent weeks. The last few weeks have been challenging but the team on the ground has done a great job in getting passengers through security more quickly, and I would like to thank all colleagues for their hard work and dedication.

“As we continue to recover, we are reminding customers to arrive at the airport three hours before their flight and to ensure they are familiar with all security rules. While the majority of people will get through security in less than 30 minutes, customers need to allow time for check-in and the possibility that security queues may be longer at peak times.”





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Rockdale County deputy hit, killed by 16-year-old driver while he directed traffic – WSB-TV Channel 2

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Rockdale County deputy hit, killed while directing traffic The driver who hit the deputy remained on the scene, but it’s unclear if they will face any charges.

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — A Rockdale County sheriff’s deputy has died after being hit by a car while directing traffic, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputy Walter Jenkins, 54, was directing traffic on Georgia Hwy. 138 at Hwy. 912 around 9:30 p.m. when he was hit by a silver Kia Sportage.

Georgia State Patrol says the car was being driven by a 16-year-old girl.

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GSP said the teenager drove into the intersection where Jenkins was directing traffic and hit him with the front of her car. He was wearing a reflective vest while standing in the intersection.

Jenkins was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Just before 2 a.m., the office said Jenkins’ body was being taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for an autopsy by a police escort.

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The sheriff’s office said that the teenage driver stayed on the scene. There is no word on if she will face any charges.

GSP says the accident is still under investigation.

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Plane crashes at Athens airport killing the pilot, officials said A pilot is dead after his plane crashed into a wooded area behind Athens-Ben Epps airport.

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Traveling soon? 5 smart tech steps to take before you hit the road

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Rearview of commercial airliner cabin with passengers. Interior of airplane with people sitting on seats.

Rearview of commercial airliner cabin with passengers. Interior of airplane with people sitting on seats. (iStock)

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Travel now means your tickets, maps, hotel, rental car, and more are all stored on your phone. But what happens if that goes missing? Here’s how to find your phone when it’s lost — even if the battery is dead. 

The other big phone emergency? Your battery is dying, and you have to leave for the airport. Whoops. Tap or click for smart ways to get more life out of your battery. 

Travel can be stressful, but these hacks can make a huge difference. 

1. Keep a (digital) eye on your stuff 

Digital trackers help you keep an eye on your valuables and find them if you lose anything. I put an Apple AirTag on my dog’s collar, my key chains, my bike, and in my cars. Here are 10 clever ways you can use an AirTag. 

AirTags use signals from other iPhones to determine where they are located. Using the Find My app, you can see the location of every AirTag associated with your account. It’s a good idea to throw one in your checked baggage. This way, you can see whether your bag makes it to your destination. 

But the AirTag will be worthless when your luggage goes through the airport’s inner conveyor belt system. There typically aren’t enough iPhones nearby for the AirTag to work. But once your luggage is out of there, you’ll know exactly where it’s located. 

Want to grab a few now while you’re thinking about it? 

  • Apple’s AirTags are ideal if you have an iPhone, Mac, or iPad.
  • The Tile 2-pack is Android compatible, and has a tracker for your luggage and one to slide into your wallet.

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT: 10 best travel apps to plan your next adventure 

2. Track flights the easy way 

Here’s a handy iPhone trick if you have a family member or friend picking you up from the airport. Send a text with the airline you’re flying and your flight number, such as “Southwest Airlines 1175.” 

The person can tap on the message to open a flight tracker. They can see the flight’s progress and estimated arrival time without searching for the flight online or on a tracking site. Easy! 

If your ride uses an Android, they can do a web search for the airline and flight number to see the same info. 

This travel hack is great! Uber has a new way to have a car waiting for you when you land. Your Uber driver will track your flight. Here’s my 60-second tip about how it works. 

Get breaking data breach and security news as it happens. Sign up for my free email alerts. 

Travellers stand in front of an information board at BER Airport in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. Germany’s incoming transport minister is advising people against traveling over Christmas as the country tries to stem a wave of coronavirus infections. (Joerg Carstensen/dpa via AP)

Travellers stand in front of an information board at BER Airport in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. Germany’s incoming transport minister is advising people against traveling over Christmas as the country tries to stem a wave of coronavirus infections. (Joerg Carstensen/dpa via AP)

3. Get these photos on your phone 

There are essential photos I have on my phone. Worst case scenario, you lose your wallet. It will be a lot smoother getting home if you have photos of your essential documents. 

Be sure to include your license, passport and health insurance card at a minimum.  

The easiest way to do that on an iPhone is to use the handy document scanner built into the native Notes app. 

  • Open the Notes app. Create a new note by clicking the icon that looks like a square with a pen located at the bottom right of the screen. Tap the camera icon at the bottom of your new note and select Scan Documents.

On an Android, snap some photos and mark them as favorites in your picture gallery or use the scan feature in Google Drive: 

  • Open the Google Drive app. Tap the plus button in the bottom right corner.
  • Tap Scan and allow access to your camera if you have not already. Follow the on-screen prompts to take and save your photos.

Pro Tip: I also recommend saving your identifying documents as PDF files and saving a copy to your iOS Books, Android e-book app or even sending to your Kindle. This way, you can access them offline. You might also want to send a copy to your travel partner.  

SMART STEP: Take my advice and upload these 9 photos you should always have on your phone at your fingertips. You’ll thank me later! 

flight to exotic travel destination

flight to exotic travel destination
(iStock)

4. Check your rental for hidden spy cameras 

It’s happened to me. I rented a home, settled in, and realized how many cameras were watching me. It was very unsettling.  

If you rent through Airbnb, cameras are allowed in public spaces and common spaces but not in bathrooms or bedrooms. They cannot be hidden and must be disclosed in the listing descriptions. VRBO forbids indoor cameras altogether, though outdoor cameras are permitted for “reasonable monitoring.” 

Larger cameras are easy to spot, but anyone can easily hide smaller cameras behind furniture, vents, or decorations. Then there are the hidden cameras that can masquerade as all kinds of things, from a Roku to an outlet extender. Seriously, you’ll be shocked when you see these things. 

A simple way to spot most types of cameras is to look for the lens reflection. Turn off the lights and slowly scan the room with a flashlight or laser pointer, looking for bright reflections. Scan the room from multiple spots, so you don’t miss a camera pointed only at certain places. Inspect the vents, too, and any holes or gaps in the walls or ceilings.  

You can also get an RF detector. This gadget can pick up wireless cameras you might not see. 

If you can connect to the rental’s wireless network, a free program like Wireless Network Watcher shows what gadgets are connected. You might be able to spot connected cameras. Just be aware that the owner might have put the cameras on a second network, or they could be wired or record-only types. 

If you find an indoor surveillance camera that was not disclosed to you, pick up the phone and call the police. Tell them you have direct evidence that your landlord is spying on you inside your rental home without your knowledge or permission. Use this exact phrase. 

Document the situation with video and photos on your smartphone. Once you have your police report, contact the rental site. 

5. Find the comfiest seat 

If you’re tall, you know how important a few extra inches of legroom are on a flight. It can be the difference between being comfy or cramped for hours. 

Google Flights is a great way to find the cheapest flight, but you take an extra step to find the most comfortable seat. 

  • Get the Chrome browser extension called Legroom for Google Flights. When using Google Flights, you’ll also see how much legroom per seat per flight you selected.
  • Another solid option is SeatGuru.com. Enter your airline and flight number, and you’ll see a map of the best seats with the most legroom, no download required.

Bonus Tip: Bulletproof headphones, credit report change, new Zoom trick 

Have you tried one of those “buy now, pay later” services? Lots of shoppers love this setup — but now it will show up on your credit report. Speaking of shopping, you can buy a vertical mouse or life-saving headphones. (Yep: one gamer’s headphones saved him from a stray bullet.) In this episode, I’ll share AirTag news as well as a cool new Zoom trick that lets you speak with your hands. 

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. 

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.” 

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts. 

Copyright 2022, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in. 

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com. 



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Traveling soon? 5 smart tech steps to take before you hit the road

Posted on | by getsetntravel | Leave a Comment on Traveling soon? 5 smart tech steps to take before you hit the road


Travel now means your tickets, maps, hotel, rental car, and more are all stored on your phone. But what happens if that goes missing? Here’s how to find your phone when it’s lost — even if the battery is dead.

The other big phone emergency? Your battery is dying, and you have to leave for the airport. Whoops. Tap or click for smart ways to get more life out of your battery.

Travel can be stressful, but these hacks can make a huge difference.

1. Keep a (digital) eye on your stuff

Digital trackers help you keep an eye on your valuables and find them if you lose anything. I put an Apple AirTag on my dog’s collar, my key chains, my bike, and in my cars. Here are 10 clever ways you can use an AirTag.

AirTags use signals from other iPhones to determine where they are located. Using the Find My app, you can see the location of every AirTag associated with your account. It’s a good idea to throw one in your checked baggage. This way, you can see whether your bag makes it to your destination.

But the AirTag will be worthless when your luggage goes through the airport’s inner conveyor belt system. There typically aren’t enough iPhones nearby for the AirTag to work. But once your luggage is out of there, you’ll know exactly where it’s located.

Want to grab a few now while you’re thinking about it?

  • Apple’s AirTags are ideal if you have an iPhone, Mac, or iPad. 
  • The Tile 2-pack is Android compatible and has a tracker for your luggage and one to slide into your wallet.

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT: 10 best travel apps to plan your next adventure

2. Track flights the easy way

Here’s a handy iPhone trick if you have a family member or friend picking you up from the airport. Send a text with the airline you’re flying and your flight number, such as “Southwest Airlines 1175.”

The person can tap on the message to open a flight tracker. They can see the flight’s progress and estimated arrival time without searching for the flight online or on a tracking site. Easy!

If your ride uses an Android, they can do a web search for the airline and flight number to see the same info.

This travel hack is great! Uber has a new way to have a car waiting for you when you land. Your Uber driver will track your flight. Here’s my 60-second tip about how it works.

Get breaking data breach and security news as it happens. Sign up for my free email alerts.

3. Get these photos on your phone

There are essential photos I have on my phone. Worst case scenario, you lose your wallet. It will be a lot smoother getting home if you have pictures of your essential documents.

Be sure to include your license, passport and health insurance card at a minimum. 

The easiest way to do that on an iPhone is to use the handy document scanner built into the native Notes app.

  • Open the Notes app. Create a new note by clicking the icon that looks like a square with a pen located at the bottom right of the screen. Tap the camera icon at the bottom of your new note and select Scan Documents.

On an Android, snap some photos and mark them as favorites in your picture gallery or use the scan feature in Google Drive:

  • Open the Google Drive app. Tap the plus button in the bottom right corner.
  • Tap Scan and allow access to your camera if you have not already. Follow the on-screen prompts to take and save your photos.

Pro Tip: I also recommend saving your identifying documents as PDF files and saving a copy to your iOS Books, Android e-book app or even sending to your Kindle. This way, you can access them offline. You might also want to send a copy to your travel partner. 

SMART STEP: Take my advice and upload these 9 photos you should always have on your phone at your fingertips. You’ll thank me later!

4. Check your rental for hidden spy cameras

It’s happened to me. I rented a home, settled in, and realized how many cameras were watching me. It was very unsettling. 

If you rent through Airbnb, cameras are allowed in public spaces and common spaces but not in bathrooms or bedrooms. They cannot be hidden and must be disclosed in the listing descriptions. VRBO forbids indoor cameras altogether, though outdoor cameras are permitted for “reasonable monitoring.”

Larger cameras are easy to spot, but anyone can easily hide smaller cameras behind furniture, vents, or decorations. Then there are the hidden cameras that can masquerade as all kinds of things, from a Roku to an outlet extender. Seriously, you’ll be shocked when you see these things.

A simple way to spot most types of cameras is to look for the lens reflection. Turn off the lights and slowly scan the room with a flashlight or laser pointer, looking for bright reflections. Scan the room from multiple spots, so you don’t miss a camera pointed only at certain places. Inspect the vents, too, and any holes or gaps in the walls or ceilings. 

You can also get an RF detector. This gadget can pick up wireless cameras you might not see.

If you can connect to the rental’s wireless network, a free program like Wireless Network Watcher shows what gadgets are connected. You might be able to spot connected cameras. Just be aware that the owner might have put the cameras on a second network, or they could be wired or record-only types.

If you find an indoor surveillance camera that was not disclosed to you, pick up the phone and call the police. Tell them you have direct evidence that your landlord is spying on you inside your rental home without your knowledge or permission. Use this exact phrase.

Document the situation with video and photos on your smartphone. Once you have your police report, contact the rental site.

5. Find the comfiest seat

If you’re tall, you know how important a few extra inches of legroom are on a flight. It can be the difference between being comfy or cramped for hours.

Google Flights is a great way to find the cheapest flight, but you take an extra step to find the most comfortable seat.

  • Get the Chrome browser extension called Legroom for Google Flights. When using Google Flights, you’ll also see how much legroom per seat per flight you selected.
  • Another solid option is SeatGuru.com. Enter your airline and flight number, and you’ll see a map of the best seats with the most legroom. No download required.

Have you tried one of those “buy now, pay later” services? Lots of shoppers love this setup — but now it will show up on your credit report. Speaking of shopping, you can buy a vertical mouse or life-saving headphones. (Yep: one gamer’s headphones saved him from a stray bullet.) In this episode, I’ll share AirTag news and a cool new Zoom trick that lets you speak with your hands.

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

By clicking our links, you’re supporting our research. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Recommendations are not part of any business incentives.



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Betty White’s Stunning L.A. Home Just Hit the Market for More Than $10 Million — See the Photos

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Betty White’s Stunning L.A. Home Just Hit the Market for More Than $10 Million — See the Photos | Travel + Leisure

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Mike Tyson appears to hit fellow airplane passenger

Posted on | by getsetntravel | Leave a Comment on Mike Tyson appears to hit fellow airplane passenger


(CNN) — Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson seems to have joined the ranks of unruly airline passengers.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Tyson had an incident on a flight with an aggressive passenger who began harassing him and threw a water bottle at him while he was in his seat,” Joann Mignano, a representative for Tyson, said in a statement.

Video obtained by TMZ Sports was taken on a JetBlue plane in San Francisco, according to TMZ. It shows a man repeatedly hitting what appears to be another passenger in the seat behind him.

The video published by TMZ does not show the entirety of the incident. A water bottle is not visible in the footage posted by the outlet.

The video of the blows lasts about 10 seconds and features audio of a person who seems to be trying to defuse the situation, calling “hey Mike, Mike.”

On Wednesday evening around 10 p.m. PT, police officers “were dispatched to a physical altercation onboard an airplane located at the Domestic Terminal of the San Francisco International Airport,” according to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD).

Two people believed to be involved in the incident were detained, police said. One person was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to a statement from SFPD.

“That subject provided minimal details of the incident and refused to cooperate further with the police investigation,” the police said. Both people were released “pending further investigation.” SFPD declined to identify either subject.

The police department said it was aware of video that may have captured the altercation, and it has shared the video with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

San Mateo County Sheriff’s Detective Javier Acosta told CNN that office would handle the investigation moving forward and declined to name either subject, citing the ongoing investigation.

JetBlue Airways has not responded to CNN’s requests for comment.

Tyson was in San Francisco on Wednesday at the 420 Hippie Hill event in Golden Gate Park to promote his cannabis brand, according to the event’s website and video posted online.

Cracking down on unruly passengers

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Thursday morning that it did not have a report at the time about an unruly passenger incident aboard a JetBlue flight on Wednesday.

“The FAA looks into all airline reports of passenger disturbances,” the agency said in a statement to CNN.

The FAA directed CNN to local law enforcement for further information.

Unruly passenger behavior has spiked during the pandemic, with 2021 the worst year on record for reports of bad behavior on planes. A whopping 5,981 reports of unruly passengers were logged by the FAA in 2021.

The agency introduced a “zero tolerance” policy on January 13, 2021, after a sharp rise in unruly passenger incidents in 2020. The FAA said that under the policy, it may issue fines to passengers for unruly behavior instead of warning letters or counseling. And cases can result in criminal investigations and charges.

The FAA said Wednesday that it will make its zero tolerance policy against unruly passengers permanent. That announcement came after the federal mask mandate for public transportation was struck down on Monday. The Justice Department has filed an appeal to that ruling.

The incident aboard the JetBlue flight on Wednesday did not appear to involve masks, which are not currently required. However, mask-related incidents currently make up the majority of reports of unruly passenger behavior.

In 2022, the FAA has already received 1,233 unruly passenger reports.

Top image: Mike Tyson is seen in this December 12, 2021, file photo in Malibu, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)



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Car care tips before you hit the road this summer

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GREAT FALLS — April is National Car Care Month, and Memorial Day – the unofficial beginning of summer and the summer travel season – is just a few weeks away.

Mechanics say this is the time to get your car into the shop. There are several things you need to have checked out to make sure your car is ready to hit the road and mechanics were already very busy.

Inside Gear Grabbers Garage in Great Falls, there was no shortage of work to do Thursday.

“Most people are quite a ways out. Lack of help and just the way things are,” Gear Grabbers Garage owner Luke Cote said.

The backup could get worse once summer travel gets into full swing.

“Our business really picks up about Memorial Day and on Fridays,” Cote explains. “When you get your oil changed, make sure that they’re checking your coolant. If it’s due to be changed, change it out.”

Tire tread and wheel bearings are also important to check.

“Wheel bearings on trailers especially. There’s a lot more traffic on the highway all summer long. A lot more horse trailers, boats. Make sure your wheel bearings are packed or at least inspected,” said Cote.

Another reason to get your car inspected for the summer travel season early, parts may be hard to come by.

“Just a break job on certain vehicles that before you could get them right now, it takes three or four days to get break parts anymore,” said Troy Weninger, Carnahan’s Towing and Repair Shop Manager.

When you do hit the road keep an eye on your gas gauge.

“We do see a lot of fuel pumps during the summer. I always tell people ‘Keep your tank full as much as you can.’ A lot of vehicles nowadays, the fuel pumps are in the tank. So fuel does help cool the electric motors of the fuel pump,” said Weninger.

Click here for more car-care tips on the AAA website.

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Virginia hit 14-year high for traffic fatalities in 2021

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Virginia reached a sobering milestone in 2021: Crash fatalities in the Commonwealth hit a 14-year high, according to data released Tuesday.

Virginia reached a sobering milestone in 2021: Crash fatalities in the commonwealth hit a 14-year high, according to data released Tuesday.

In 2021, 968 people died in crashes on Virginia roads. That’s up 14.3% from 2020, when there were 847 crash fatalities. And it’s the highest number of annual deaths since 2007, which saw 1,026 fatalities.

Statistics from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Office show that fatalities were up across a number of categories: speed-related deaths; commercial motor vehicle-involved fatalities; and fatalities of motorcyclists, pedestrians, bicyclists, teen drivers and mature drivers.

Courtesy Virginia DMV (Click to enlarge)

“There are immediate, simple actions Virginians can take to save lives on our roadways,” said acting DMV Commissioner Linda Ford, the governor’s highway safety representative, in a statement.

“This is critically important as fatalities continue to increase this year. Vehicles and roadways are safer than they ever have been, yet we continue to lose lives to senseless crashes. Do your part to help. Slow down, buckle up, focus on the task of driving and never drive impaired. It truly is that simple.”

2022 isn’t looking great, either. So far, the DMV says 245 people have been killed in crashes on Virginia roadways, a 12% increase compared with this point in 2021.

2021 was a bad year for the District as well. The Washington Post reported back in February that with 40 fatalities, it was the deadliest year in the District since 2007.

Maryland recently released its crash statistics. In 2021, there were 557 roadway fatalities in Maryland. While that number is down 2.8% from 2020, state officials say it is still not good news.

“Tragically, we lost 377 drivers, 80 passengers, 129 pedestrians and bicyclists,” said James F. Ports Jr., the secretary of Maryland’s Transportation Department.

“These are not just numbers. These are not just statistics. They are people. They’re our family members, our friends, our community members.”

This year, there have already been 134 roadway fatalities in Maryland.

Virginia isn’t the only locality seeing an increase in crash deaths: It’s a national trend.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “an estimated 31,720 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes from January through September 2021, an increase of approximately 12% from the 28,325 fatalities projected for the first nine months of 2020.”

“The projection is the highest number of fatalities during the first nine months of any year since 2006 and the highest percentage increase during the first nine months in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System’s history.”

Ford warned that the upward trend will continue unless Virginia drivers “take action.”

“Most people want to contribute to something greater; by driving safely, you can truly make a difference, not just in your life, but in the lives of everyone with whom you share the road,” Ford said.

WTOP’s Michelle Murillo contributed to this report.



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