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Safety experts say a little preparation can go a long way during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

• Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest and most dangerous travel weekends of the year, with increased traffic, distracted driving, and impaired motorists contributing to more crashes.

• Jennifer Morrison, Director of Vehicle Safety Strategy at Mazda USA, says planning ahead and driving defensively can significantly reduce your risk on the road.

• Experts recommend checking your vehicle before traveling, eliminating distractions, and avoiding impaired or fatigued driving to help keep holiday road trips safe.

Memorial Day weekend is known as the unofficial kickoff to summer, with millions of Americans packing up their cars and heading out for beach trips, barbecues, and long-awaited vacations.

But while the holiday is meant for relaxing, its also one of the busiest and most dangerous travel weekends of the year. Increased traffic, distracted driving, and impaired motorists all contribute to a spike in crashes on U.S. roads.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Jennifer Morrison, Director of Vehicle Safety Strategy at Mazda USA, and she explained that a few simple precautions can make a major difference when it comes to staying safe behind the wheel. From planning your route ahead of time to checking your vehicle before leaving home, experts say preparation and awareness are key to avoiding unnecessary risks during the holiday rush.

The biggest risks on the road

With more drivers on the road for Memorial Day, the long weekend can also come with an increased accident risk.

The biggest factors we see are congestion leading to stop-and-go driving, distracted driving, and impaired or fatigued drivers sharing the road, Morrison said. Long trips can also mean people are driving in unfamiliar areas or pushing themselves to stay on the road longer than they should.

What makes this weekend particularly risky is the combination of all those factors happening at once: more cars, more distractions, and more variables in driver behavior. Even small lapses in attention can have bigger consequences in those conditions.

Preparation is key

If youre planning a road trip for Memorial Day weekend, Morrison says that preparation is your best friend.

Before leaving, map out your route and check for construction, closures, or high-traffic windows so you can avoid the most congested times if possible, she said. Build in extra time so youre not feeling rushed. Thats when risky decisions tend to happen.

Its also helpful to set up everything in advance: navigation, playlists, even snacks or stops if youre traveling with kids. The goal is to reduce the number of decisions you have to make while driving so you can stay focused on the road.

Vehicle checks can help too

While preparation for yourself is key before a long trip, its also important to prepare your car. Heres what Morrison recommends before a road trip:

• Start with the basics: Check tire pressure and tread, ensure your brakes are functioning properly, and top off essential fluids like oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid.

• Lights and signals: Another quick but critical check. Visibility and communication with other drivers are key, especially in heavy traffic.

• Sensors and cameras: Make sure theyre clean and unobstructed so they can function as intended. Forward sensing cameras are often located at the top center of the windshield and need a clear view to be able to support systems like lane-keeping assistance and traffic sign recognition, adding an extra layer of awareness when conditions are busy.

Reduce risk on the road

On a holiday weekend, the road trip should be the least exciting part of your trip. To ensure all you do is listen to music or play car games, Morrison shared her top five tips to reduce risk on the road:

1. Plan ahead, not on the road: Map your route, check the weather, and avoid peak congestion times to minimize stress and last-minute decisions.

2. Drive defensively: Stay alert to other drivers mistakes, keep a safe following distance, and anticipate sudden stops in heavy traffic.

3. Eliminate distractions: Put your phone out of reach and keep your focus fully on the road, especially in stop-and-go conditions.

4. Never drive impaired: Alcohol, drugs, and even some medications can slow reaction time. Designate a sober driver or plan alternative transportation.

5. Check your vehicle before you go: Ensure tires, brakes, and fluids are road-ready to prevent breakdowns in high-traffic conditions.

Many Americans with disabilities dont realize this free park pass exists

• Free lifetime park access: Eligible travelers with permanent disabilities can get free entry to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.

• You may still qualify: The biggest takeaway is you do not need to be 100% disabled to get the pass.

• Big summer savings: National Park entrance fees can run $30$35 per vehicle, making the pass especially valuable for summer road trips.

For many Americans living with a disability, visiting a national park already comes with extra planning, accessibility concerns, and travel costs.

What many people do not realize is that theres actually a free lifetime pass available that can remove one major expense entirely.

Its called the America the Beautiful Access Pass, and it gives eligible travelers with permanent disabilities free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country, including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands managed by federal agencies.

And unlike some government programs, qualifying is much broader than many people think.

At many locations, the pass covers:

• Entrance fees
• Day-use fees
• Standard amenity fees

Depending on the park or recreation site, the savings can add up quickly, especially for families who travel frequently.For example, entrance fees at some major national parks can easily run $30 to $35 per vehicle per visit. For travelers who enjoy multiple road trips each year, the pass could easily save hundreds of dollars over time.

The disability requirement is broader than many people realize

One of the biggest misconceptions is that someone must be considered 100% disabled to qualify.

Thats absolutely not the case.

According to the National Park Service, the pass is available to individuals with a permanent disability that severely limits one or more major life activities.

That can include:

• Mobility limitations
• Visual impairments
• Hearing impairments
• Cognitive disabilities
• Chronic medical conditions
• Other permanent disabilities

The government specifically notes that applicants do not need to be fully disabled to qualify. Thats important because many Americans incorrectly assume they would not qualify and never even apply.

What documentation you need

To get the Access Pass, applicants need:

• A valid photo ID
• Documentation of permanent disability

That documentation can come from one of the following:

• A physician
• The Veterans Administration
• Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Certain state agencies

One of the easiest routes for many people is using existing federal disability paperwork they already have.

The easiest way to get the pass

The National Park Service actually recommends getting the pass in-person when possible, and passes are now available at more than 1,000 federal recreation sites nationwide.

They cite potential mailing delays and processing fees as the reason.

But in-person pickup is probably not possible for most, so you have two other options:

• Order a physical pass online
• Download a digital pass through Recreation.gov

If you prefer the idea of storing your pass directly on your phone, the digital option is the best way to go.

Parks are more accommodating than ever

National parks have expanded accessibility features significantly over the years, making the Access Pass something that people with a disability can actually use.

Park upgrades include:

• Accessible trails
• Shuttle accommodations
• Audio guides
• Accessible campsites
• Beach wheelchairs at select locations
• ADA-compliant visitor centers

Of course, accessibility still varies widely by park, terrain, and season, which is why planning ahead remains important.

Smart tips before visiting

Before traveling, experts recommend:

• Checking the parks accessibility page online
• Calling visitor centers directly with specific mobility questions
• Verifying shuttle accessibility
• Looking up trail difficulty ratings
• Asking about seasonal closures

Many parks now provide detailed accessibility guides online that go far beyond basic ADA information.

Pro tip: Summer is peak season at many national parks, which means accessible parking and lodging can fill up quickly. Booking earlier than you think you need to is often the smartest move.

Prices have remained stable for the last two days

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The national average price of regular gasoline held steady at $4.52 a gallon for a second straight day, though prices remain $0.07higher than a week ago, as oil tops $100 a barrel amid the Iran conflict.

• California drivers are paying the highest average price in the nation at $6.16 a gallon, while Oklahoma has the lowest average at $3.94.

• The Trump administration is considering a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax to ease prices at the pump, but any gas-tax holiday would require approval from Congress.

Motorists are still feeling pain at the pump as gas prices continue to move higher. But according to data from AAA, the national average price of regular gas today is the same as yesterday.

AAA reports the average price is $4.52 a gallon. Though it's a fraction of a centless than the previous day, its $0.07a gallon more than it was a week ago.

Prices have continued to rise with the price of oil, which is now more than $100 a barrel, due to the war with Iran that has virtually stopped oil shipments from the Persian Gulf.

Price comparison

While $4.52 is the national average price of regular, motorists in some states are paying a lot more. Here are the five states where gasoline is most expensive:

• California ($6.16)

• Washington ($5.76)

• Hawaii ($5.65)

• Oregon ($5.32)

• Nevada ($5.24)

Here are the five states where gas prices are the lowest:

• Oklahoma ($3.94)

• Mississippi ($3.98)

• Texas ($4.03)

• Nebraska ($4.04)

• Georgia ($4.04)

Gas tax pause?

The Trump administration is weighing a temporary suspension of the federal gasoline tax,as officials search for ways to ease pressure on consumers facing sharply higher fuel prices driven by turmoil in global oil markets.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday that the administration is open to all ideas when asked whether the White House would support a federal gas-tax holiday. The federal tax currently adds 18.4 cents per gallon to gasoline prices and 24.4 cents to diesel fuel.

Were open to all ideas, everything has tradeoffs, Wright said during an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press, adding that the administration is looking at all ideas to lower prices for American consumers and American businesses.

The comments mark the clearest indication yet that the White House may support congressional action to suspend the tax amid a surge in gasoline prices tied to instability in the Middle East and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.

While President Trump has not formally endorsed a tax holiday, he recently said the idea was something we have in our pocket if we think its necessary, according to reports.

However, a suspension of the federal gas tax would require congressional approval. Similar proposals have surfaced repeatedly during past spikes in fuel prices, but Congress has never enacted a nationwide federal gas-tax holiday.