More travel expected this holiday weekend

LIMA — More people will be leaving home for one last summer getaway this Labor Day holiday weekend according to AAA. The folks around Grand Lake St. Marys probably hope a lot of those travelers are headed their way.

Advisories to avoid boating and swimming on the lake have been in effect most of the summer because of toxic algae. The boating advisory was lifted last week after toxin levels decreased.

Stan Grimm, owner of Behm’s Restaurant on the south shore of the lake, said business is down about 50 percent from a normal summer. Behm’s has more than half its usual customers off the lake, with 20 slips for boaters to park. A June Outdoor Life Magazine ranking of top “Dock and Dine” restaurants in the country lists Behm’s in seventh place.

He said lifting the boating advisory has led to more boats on the lake, but he’s not sure any of them are coming in from out of town.

“I see more boaters,” he said. “I don’t know if we see all that many more people, tourism wise. I just don’t know whether the weekend’s going to be a good Labor Day weekend or not.”

A bump in business would be nice, but Grimm said it’s too little too late.

“Basically, summer’s over, schools starting now, things are slowing down,” he said. “This last weekend, last hurrah, we should have some great boating.”

Water quality may be better next summer, but Grimm expects business to improve at a slower pace.

“It’s going to take a long time to change,” he said. “People are going to wonder.”

Around the Region

AAA projects holiday travel in the United States will increase 9.9 percent from 2009, as about 34.4 million Americans travel at least 50 miles round trip. Travel across Ohio is expected to experience a slightly larger boost. This increase is the result of economic growth during the past year.

The travel club estimates gas prices will remain steady across the state, but in Lima, prices jumped from about $2.55 to about $2.79 per gallon Thursday at many gas stations.

Roads will likely become congested this holiday weekend, as 91 percent of travelers plan to drive to their destination. This is an increase of 10.3 percent from last Labor Day. Most trips in our region will involve families driving an average of 489 miles, AAA reports.

While on the road, the Ohio Department of Transportation wants you to stay safe.

Last Labor Day weekend there were 2,742 crashes on Ohio’s roadways, resulting in 1,272 injuries and 20 fatalities. An ODOT safety analysis shows that drivers tailgating or following too closely to the vehicles ahead of them contributed to most of those crashes.

Even though physical work is suspended in most construction zones during the holiday weekend, motorists should plan alternate routes or allow additional travel time to avoid work zone congestion, delays or more serious highway incidents. Up-to-date traffic information can be found 24 hours a day at http://www.BuckeyeTraffic.org.

In an effort to crack down on drunken driving, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will continue enhanced enforcement efforts through Labor Day. Seven of last Labor Day weekend’s traffic deaths were alcohol-related, the patrol reported.

Of course many state and local officers will be checking for speed.

According to information reported by drivers to the National Motorists Association’s National Speed Trap Exchange, Cleveland and Millersburg have the most speed traps in Ohio. Learn more at http://speedtrap.org.

Vehicle safety extends beyond the roads. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is urging all boaters to stay safe by keeping a proper lookout for other watercraft and always wear a life jacket.

As with motor vehicles, drinking is a bad idea when operating a boat. There have been 13 boating-related deaths in Ohio this year. Half those accidents involved alcohol, ODNR reported. Get more safe boating advice at http://bit.ly/odnr.

If you’re breaking out the grill this holiday weekend, State Fire Marshal Donald Cooper wants you to keep it safe by keeping it 10 feet away from any building on level ground and make sure it is clean and in good working order. Learn more at http://bit.ly/odfm.

If you haven’t decided on weekend plans, Cedar Point wants you to know the park remains open daily through Labor Day.