Aaa Mid Atlantic

WASHINGTON COUNTY - Drivers braving the roads this weekend likely will encounter high gas prices, sultry temperatures and cries from back-seat passengers, asking, "Are we there yet?" Lt. Rick Narron, barrack commander for the Maryland State Police in Hagerstown, said he is expecting heavy traffic this weekend as the Memorial Day holiday ushers in summer's unofficial start. For Narron, three-day weekends drive home the importance of buckling up and driving carefully. "It kind of brings everyone back to the perspective to drive carefully," Narron said.

Did you know that a federal trust fund, to which you likely contribute, is in deep financial crisis? And it affects you every day. It's the Federal Transportation Trust Fund and it's on life support. AAA Mid-Atlantic believes it's high time for citizens to be concerned about America's highways. Right now, Congress is debating that trust fund - a fund that supports our nation's roads and bridges. Every time you buy gas, 18.4 cents goes into the fund, but revenues are woefully short.

With more than half a million Marylanders expected to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend trips, AAA Mid-Atlantic has issued some driving tips. Traffic on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is expected to be heavy with Ocean City, Md., resort officials anticipating a 75 percent to 80 percent occupancy rate this weekend so AAA officials recommend crossing the bridge at off-peak hours. Eastbound off-peak hours are 7 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Saturday to noon Sunday.

Welty-Olszeski Mr. and Mrs. Larry Welty of Fairplay announce the engagement of their daughter, Tammy Marie Welty, to Jason John Olszeski, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Olszeski of Hagerstown. Ms. Welty is a 1996 graduate of Williamsport High School and received a degree in business administration from Pennsylvania State University. She plans to pursue a degree in elementary education from Frostburg State University in the fall. She is employed with AAA Mid-Atlantic Inc., in Hagerstown.

In the 14 years since the Maryland legislature approved red-light cameras, about 200 of the ticket-issuing machines have been installed in the state, according to a database compiled by AAA Mid-Atlantic. That doesn't include speed cameras, which are numerous in Maryland, but for which there is no comprehensive database.  The cameras “are effective because they scare people,” said Amanda Clark, 29, who has received four red-light camera tickets and a speed-camera ticket within the last five years.

pepperb@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - If gas prices continue to rise, Hagerstown cab company manager Rick Miller said he will be forced to raise fares, which have remained the same for more than 10 years. "We've been hanging on for a while," said Miller, manager of Miller Transportation. "You look at (the fares) not just as a fare, but as a person and you think, 'They can't afford that.'" Miller said cab drivers pay $55 to rent a cab for a day shift and, on a busy day, might put about $40 from their own pockets into the cabs' gas tanks.

WASHINGTON COUNTY The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, AAA Mid-Atlantic and The Humane Society of Washington County urge residents to take extra precautions for themselves and for their pets to fight against heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when body temperature exceeds 105 degrees. Symptoms include dry, reddened skin, convulsions, disorientation, delirium and coma, according to the release from the state department. Because of dehydration, symptoms of heat exhaustion might include extreme weakness, muscle cramps, nausea or headache.

pepperb@herald-mail.com Gas prices are expected to remain stable in the Tri-State area through the Labor Day weekend, a drastic difference from last Labor Day when pump prices jumped about 9 cents per gallon one week before the end-of-summer holiday, a AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman said. Amanda Knittle, public relations specialist with AAA Mid-Atlantic, said that Maryland and Pennsylvania's average price for regular unleaded self-serve gas is now $1.87, two cents less than it was a month ago, while West Virginia's average price remains as it was a month ago at $1.89.

HAGERSTOWN tarar@herald-mail.com The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is hitting pocketbooks in the Tri-State area, causing gas prices to jump by as much as 44 cents in a day. The price of regular gas at several service stations in the Hagers- town area reached $2.99 per gallon Wednesday, up from $2.55 a gallon Tuesday morning. One local gas station owner predicted the price will hit $3.40 by Labor Day. Amanda Knittle, public affairs specialist for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said Wednesday it's likely prices will continue to rise.

julieg@herald-mail.com With approximately 592,000 out of 5.5 million Marylanders expected to travel 50 miles or more this holiday weekend, proper planning could pay off when it comes to drive time and buying gas. The Bay Bridge has a financial incentive for people driving during off-peak hours Friday - no tolls - and AAA officials warn gas prices could be higher in the Washington, D.C., area. More people, nationwide, are expected to travel this Fourth of July weekend than in the past nine years, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Amanda Knittle said Wednesday.