Novel Dunia

Lon Anderson, director of Public and Government Relations at AAA Mid-Atlantic, was online Friday, May 22, at Noon ET to answer your travel-related questions on the eve of the Memorial Day weekend.

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Lon Anderson: Thanks so much for joining me today, as we prepare for the big getaway for our Memorial Day holiday. With gas prices down $1.50 per gallon from last year, and travel bargains everywhere, AAA is predicting a big getway--some 730,000 area residents, up 4%. It's not a record, but it will mean all ways out of town--and back in on Mondaqy are likely going to be crowded. Remember to think safety for your holiday travel--with so many more traveling, crashes and fatlaties will be up. So. let's get started!

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Washington, D.C.: I've seen a brief report that Mid-Atlantic AAA has called D.C. the most car-unfriendly city in the U.S. I'm inclined to agree -- right now we're run by "smart development" planners who want to discourage owning and operating cars by making it so inconvenient and expensive to drive and, especially, to park, that everybody will be forced into mass transit. But what factors went into AAA's announcement. Can you provide a link to a press release, study, or report that gives more information?

Lon Anderson: Hey, DC--thanks for the question. Our position is based upon DC's actions. They already have the most aggressive ticketing program in the nation and, with a revenue shortage, they are ratcheting it up. Cameras on Streetweepers, more ticket writers. And that's before you get into their automated enforcement program that has probably brought in over $200 million at this point. they say it's about safety, but plenty of evidence points towards money. They wanted a commuter tax, but were denied it by congress, and have implemented one anyway. Front page story of today's Post gives much more detail. We do have some press releases on this on our website--aaa.com. then go to outreach. thanks for the question!

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Silver Spring, Md.: Driving to Boston on Saturday morning. Will I hit Cape traffic?

Lon Anderson: Hey Silver Spring--I don't think you can avoid it. Plenty of other folks from up and down the east coast will also be headed to the Cape. If you leave early, you will miss much of the very heavy I-95 traffic, but we can't help you avoid the Boston crowd heading to the beach later tomorrow. Good luck and be safe!