As students head home for Thanksgiving for food, football and family fun, officials are offering tips to make holiday traveling easier.
Since the federal government took over security at the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport Oct. 7, there are many changes students must consider when traveling during the holidays.
Jonathan Buckles, stakeholder liaison for the Transportation Security Administration’s Baton Rouge district, said recent events, specifically the Baton Rouge serial killer, have affected airport security.
“There are a large number of female travelers who seem to be concerned for their safety,” Buckles said. “We have seen a great deal of college students and women coming through [the Baton Rouge airport] who have mace or pepper spray.”
Buckles said travelers are not allowed to take mace or pepper spray onto the plane, but many forget they even carry the self-defense item.
“They are so used to having it on key chains or in purses, they don’t really think about it all,” Buckles said. “We do give everybody the option of taking it back to their car, or putting it in their checked bags.”
But, Buckles said many times students have a friend drop them off or take a cab, so they have nowhere to take their mace or pepper spray.
He urged students to leave those items at home or in their cars.
Buckles did not know if more women are attempting to bring mace or pepper spray with them to the airport in light of the serial killer because the TSA only began securing the airport in October.
TSA offers some other tips for holiday travelers.
According to the TSA Web site, passengers should wait until they reach their destination to wrap holiday gifts because security officers may open them during screening. This applies to checked baggage and carry-on items.
In addition, travelers should pack undeveloped film in carry-on items because the new equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage it.
But, not all students will hop a plane to get home for the holidays; many will spend a few hours in their cars to get to the Thanksgiving feast.
Jaime Barth, public information officer for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, said Thanksgiving is a high-travel weekend. She encouraged students to observe speed limits and wear seat belts.
“Speed limits are posted for a good reason. They are chosen and decided upon based on road type, potential hazardous conditions and construction,” Barth said. “Seat belts are going to keep you safe, no matter if it’s a low-impact or high-impact crash.”
Barth said the main concern for holiday travel is impaired driving from alcohol.
“Forty-eight percent of all crashes in Louisiana are alcohol-involved,” Barth said. She said because a large portion of the University population is younger than 21, students should be aware of the legal alcohol limits.
For underage persons, the blood alcohol limit is .02, which can be as little as one beer.
Because the semester is almost over, with papers, projects and tests looming, students have another consideration on the highways — drowsiness.
“Drowsiness is always an issue,” Barth said. “If you’re sleepy, you should not be behind the wheel. Getting home to see your family late is better than not making it home at all.”
Barth said tailgating, or following too closely, and inattention while driving are other causes for crashes.