Suffolk News-Herald

The weather on Friday is predicted to be sunny with the high around 90 degrees. Since we have been having so much wet weather lately, this change should draw many people to the ocean and beaches. Among the most popular vacation destinations are the Outer Banks and Virginia Beach. If you are planning to spend your day swimming or boating, please read and obey rules for these kinds of activities.

The Boat Owners’ Association of the U.S. issued a press release announcing that July 4th is the single busiest boating day of the year. The most important recommendation for boaters is to wear a life jacket or PFD (personal flotation device). From 1995 to 2001 there were 210 children under the age of 13 who died while boating. The biggest reason for these deaths was due to the fact some of these children were not wearing life vests because they can be uncomfortable and hot.

To make your boating outing safer, Aqua Force swimsuits are the only flotation swimwear that the U.S. Coast Guard has approved. The suit is suitable for any boating or tow-behind activities, like skiing. It also takes the place of a regular swimsuit; and since kids are comfortable and aren’t likely to remove them, Aqua Force keeps them safer whenever they are around water

Also, Virginia roads are always busy during holiday weekends. Therefore, DMV encourages all motorists traveling during the holiday to prevent needless deaths and injuries by driving defensively and wearing safety belts.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will halt construction work in major roadways to ease holiday travel from noon Thursday to noon Monday, July 7.

According to VDOT Commissioner Philip Shucet, there are 350 construction projects under way and numerous work zones across the state.

VDOT officials are reporting that motorists heading to the Outer Banks may want to take the Chesapeake expressway and travelers going to Virginia Beach may want to take the I-664 Monitor Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel as an alternate to the I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.

If you are planning to travel long distances, get plenty of rest and observe speed limits. Reckless driving by speeding was the top offense charged to motorists in Virginia work zones last year. Beginning July 1, the fine for speeding in a work zone doubled from $250 to $500.

Since July 4th is falling on a Friday, we have a long weekend ahead of us. Partygoers reminded to not drink and drive.