With 34 million Americans and more than 1 million Michiganers keen to travel this weekend, AAA and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources urge people to play it safe on state roads and waterways.

Realizing that this weekend could be the first time some people travel measurable distances in more than a year, AAA is reminding drivers to make sure their vehicles are ready to drive.

“Some vehicles may have spent more time in the driveway than on the road after a year of disrupted timetables due to the pandemic,” said AAA spokeswoman Adrienne Woodland. “AAA warns drivers not to hit the road in vehicles that have not been properly maintained. A pre-trip inspection goes a long way in making sure you are off the roadside on vacation. ‘

The three main reasons drivers ask AAA for help are flat tires, dead batteries and lockouts. If tires are neglected, they can have dire consequences – from a simple flat tire to a dangerous blowout on the highway.

AAA recommends checking tires at least once a month and before a long trip. Check all four tires and, if installed, the spare wheel. Look for cuts, grooves, or sidewall bulges. Drivers should pay attention to both the tire pressure and the tread depth.

Check the tire pressures when the car has been idling and the tires have cooled. If necessary, inflate to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. You can find it in the operating instructions and on the sticker on the driver’s door. According to the AAA, do not use the number on the tire sidewall.

To check the tread depth of the tire, insert a quarter upside down into the grooves. When you see the top of George Washington’s head, it’s time for new tires. Make sure to check multiple spots on your tire to diagnose uneven wear patterns.

Other areas to inspect include brakes, batteries, fluids, and windshield wipers. AAA also suggests replenishing supplies of emergency equipment for cars. The kits should include a flashlight and extra fresh batteries, first aid items, drinking water, non perishable snacks for humans and pets, booster cables for car batteries, emergency flares or reflectors, a rain poncho, a basic set of tools, tape and gloves, and rags or Shopping for paper towels.

Many will also try to reach one of the countless inland lakes this weekend, as Memorial Day always serves as the unofficial start to the summer season. With this in mind, the DNR reminds people that safety comes first.

Lt. Tom Wanless, National Boating Rights Administrator and Recreational Safety, Education and Enforcement Officer for DNR, encouraged everyone, before ever leaving the coast, to read up on boating laws and regulations, and to ensure that boats and watercraft – and life jackets and other safety equipment – are ship shape.

“Taking the time now can help you avoid potential problems later, as accidents can happen anytime and the weather can quickly affect water conditions in the inland waters and Great Lakes,” said Wanless of the difference between a great day on the water and one unnecessarily tragic result. ‘

Riding with a driver who has completed a licensed boating safety course and wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket are two ways to reduce the risk of recreational boating accidents and drowning. Anyone born after June 30, 1996 must have a boat safety certificate to operate a boat. Anyone born after December 31, 1978 who wishes to operate a personal watercraft must have a valid Boater Training Safety Certificate.

Learn more about boating options, safety information and other resources at michigan.gov/boating.