McCracken officials urge travel, water safety ahead of Memorial Day weekend | News

PADUCAH — Are you driving somewhere for Memorial Day weekend? Maybe the lake? AAA projects that more than 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home, which has local law enforcement warning drivers to slow down and pay attention.

It’s not just distracted driving people have to worry about. Water safety is important too — especially as storms are expected this weekend.

Whether you’re hitting the road or the lake, Memorial Day weekend tends to bring crowds — even with severe weather like last year. This year, Nick Weber with Power Sports America is urging people to bring a few things with them on the water.

“You want to make sure you have all your safety gear, your life jackets, your fire extinguishers, paddles, a whistle or a horn away to signal, and you have to have a throw cushion. You’re going to want an anchor. You’re going to want some ropes,” Weber said.

If you’re new to boating, pay attention to the weather. There’s potential for thunderstorms this weekend.

“One of the biggest things is water and lightning — you want to stay away. If there is threats of thunderstorms and lightning, you want to stay away from the lake at that point in time, but if it’s just a little rain, you’re already going to be on the water,” he said.

From the water to the road, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office wants drivers to slow down and pay attention. There’s major construction on Interstate 24 starting around Exit 7.

“They should be prepared for delays. Unfortunately, there are going to be accidents that do occur that may delay their travel times. There’s also going to be just an influx of traffic as it breaks down to one lane at I-24; it’s going to take a little bit longer to get through that area,” said Corporal Brandon Little with the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office.

A big cause of accidents in this area and elsewhere is following too closely and speeding.

“But when we do traffic enforcement out there, you know, I stopped, within two hours, I think I stopped 10 people. That’s just me, and there were several of us out,” Little said.

Little said last year there were 16 accidents during Memorial Day weekend — four with injuries and 12 without injuries.

To learn more about boating safety or to take a boating safety course, click here.