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There's not much time left before Thanksgiving festivities kick off in homes across the U.S., but in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley, many are packing up to head out of town.
Plenty say they're packing up and making plans to visit loved ones this week. But before hitting the highway, there are a few things to know that'll help your trips "roll" along more smoothly, this Thanksgiving.
UA student and Texarkana native Derek Jaster describes a not so pleasant holiday trip. "About four police officers pulled me over and I didn't even see them, and it was just blinking lights everywhere, and I was like, oh no!!"
Washington County Sergeant Richard Green says Washington County's "Click it or Ticket Campaign" is running now through the 29th. "If you're not wearing a seatbelt or child safety restraints then you're going to be stopped and ticketed for it, especially over the holidays."
Jaster says, he believes it. "All the police officers that patrol there, they keep us in check. I go down 71 South. It's really windy and so especially since it just rained I'm going to be pretty careful." Jaster is on his way to Texarkana. "It's about a 4 1/2 hour drive: or four hours if I speed really bad."
Jaster may speed, but Sgt. Green works all of the county's fatality accidents. "Without your seatbelt you're going to have severe injuries if not killed in it." He hopes people buckle up and slow down. "Traffic is so much heavier. People has got their minds on other places. They're trying to get to relatives, and a lot of times they're not paying attention." Green says tickets for being unbuckled will cost drivers $25 to $50.
But in a tough economy, some say they can't afford that...in fact, many are cringing at area gas prices. Jaster looks at the meter. It's a "little bit higher than the last time I was here, that's for sure. It's been disappointing to see them trickle back up."
According to AAA's website, the average price at the pump right now in the River Valley is $2.49, and in Northwest Arkansas, it's about $2.51, up almost a dollar from a year ago. Jaster holds in his frustration: "I can't do anything about it; I've just got to grit my teeth and bear it."
But, if the roads aren't for you, perhaps the skies are a better fare. XNA officials say they expect almost 2,000 more airline passengers this Thanksgiving than last.
And if people are planning on leaving pets behind for Thanksgiving, boarding spots like the Wedington Animal Hospital now require dogs be vaccinated against the canine flu before they'll put them up for the holidays.
Area veterinarians are urging people to get canine flu vaccines for pets before boarding them since dogs are not fully immune until 72 hours after the second shot.
Plenty say they're packing up and making plans to visit loved ones this week. But before hitting the highway, there are a few things to know that'll help your trips "roll" along more smoothly, this Thanksgiving.
UA student and Texarkana native Derek Jaster describes a not so pleasant holiday trip. "About four police officers pulled me over and I didn't even see them, and it was just blinking lights everywhere, and I was like, oh no!!"
Washington County Sergeant Richard Green says Washington County's "Click it or Ticket Campaign" is running now through the 29th. "If you're not wearing a seatbelt or child safety restraints then you're going to be stopped and ticketed for it, especially over the holidays."
Jaster says, he believes it. "All the police officers that patrol there, they keep us in check. I go down 71 South. It's really windy and so especially since it just rained I'm going to be pretty careful." Jaster is on his way to Texarkana. "It's about a 4 1/2 hour drive: or four hours if I speed really bad."
Jaster may speed, but Sgt. Green works all of the county's fatality accidents. "Without your seatbelt you're going to have severe injuries if not killed in it." He hopes people buckle up and slow down. "Traffic is so much heavier. People has got their minds on other places. They're trying to get to relatives, and a lot of times they're not paying attention." Green says tickets for being unbuckled will cost drivers $25 to $50.
But in a tough economy, some say they can't afford that...in fact, many are cringing at area gas prices. Jaster looks at the meter. It's a "little bit higher than the last time I was here, that's for sure. It's been disappointing to see them trickle back up."
According to AAA's website, the average price at the pump right now in the River Valley is $2.49, and in Northwest Arkansas, it's about $2.51, up almost a dollar from a year ago. Jaster holds in his frustration: "I can't do anything about it; I've just got to grit my teeth and bear it."
But, if the roads aren't for you, perhaps the skies are a better fare. XNA officials say they expect almost 2,000 more airline passengers this Thanksgiving than last.
And if people are planning on leaving pets behind for Thanksgiving, boarding spots like the Wedington Animal Hospital now require dogs be vaccinated against the canine flu before they'll put them up for the holidays.
Area veterinarians are urging people to get canine flu vaccines for pets before boarding them since dogs are not fully immune until 72 hours after the second shot.
