CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — As one of the year's biggest travel holidays, Thanksgiving sends millions of Americans journeying across the country to gather with family and friends.

Many travelers ignore simple pre-trip safety checks, resulting in preventable accidents or avoidable deviations to travel plans.

"81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period from Tuesday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Dec. 1. This year’s domestic travel forecast includes an additional 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, setting a new overall record," AAA stated in a press release. "Thanksgiving is the single busiest holiday for travel compared to others like Memorial Day and July 4."

AAA projects that 73 million people will travel by car, which is nearly 90% o

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