With many extra cars on the road as Minnesotans return from the long holiday weekend, expect popular getaway routes to be plugged up Monday. The good news is that gas prices should be at their lowest on a Labor Day weekend since 2010, according to AAA.
Other Monday traffic obstacles: It's the last day for the State Fair, and the Renaissance Festival continues in Shakopee.
Estimates from AAA for Labor Day weekend — the last long weekend of the summer season — were for nearly 30 million Americans to take to the roads, the highest total since the recession of 2008, the auto group said.
The National Safety Council predicts 400 deaths and 42,000 injuries due to crashes. To that end, the council reminds motorists to refrain from using cellphones while driving and that all occupants wear seat belts and have a designated driver if alcohol is part of the Labor Day celebration.
In Minnesota, as of Sunday, the toll was one death due to a traffic crash. A 57-year-old woman from Garrison was struck by two cars and killed Friday night while walking in the northbound lane of Hwy. 169, about 4 miles south of Garrison.
Law enforcement will be out looking for drunken drivers Monday as part of a "Safe and Sober" campaign.
TIM HARLOW
