INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (WOWO) Indiana officials are urging drivers to plan ahead and prioritize safety as more than 960,000 Hoosiers are expected to travel during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
The Lead Off
- Indiana expects heavy Memorial Day traffic, including increased travel tied to the Indianapolis 500
- INDOT will lift many road restrictions beginning Friday afternoon to ease congestion
- Officials are reminding drivers to buckle up, avoid distractions, and never drive impaired
Heavy holiday travel expected statewide
Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Transportation warned motorists to expect increased traffic beginning Thursday as Memorial Day travelers take to the roads across Indiana.
AAA estimates approximately 45 million people nationwide will travel during the holiday period, including more than 960,000 Indiana residents.
“This coming weekend, state highways and interstates will be very busy with regular holiday travel and extra traffic heading to and from Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indianapolis 500,” Braun said.
Officials are encouraging drivers to allow extra travel time, prepare routes in advance, and monitor traffic conditions before departing.
Road restrictions to be lifted
INDOT announced that beginning at noon Friday, May 22, many temporary road closures and lane restrictions on state highways, U.S. routes, and interstates will be suspended where safely possible to reduce congestion.
Long-term construction closures tied to ongoing projects will remain in place.
Construction and maintenance activities are expected to resume Tuesday morning, May 26.
Drivers can monitor closures, traffic conditions, and travel alerts through:
- 511in.org
- The INDOT TrafficWise mobile app
- INDOT social media channels
Officials stress safe driving habits
INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist urged drivers to remain focused on roadway safety during the busy travel period.
“In addition to planning ahead, remember to buckle up, put the phone down, follow posted construction signs and speed limits, and don’t drive impaired,” Quist said.
State officials highlighted several safety concerns ahead of the holiday weekend.
Seat belt and distracted driving reminders
According to INDOT, fewer than seven percent of Indiana drivers do not wear seat belts, but those motorists account for approximately 45% of passenger vehicle fatalities statewide.
Officials also warned that texting while driving significantly increases crash risks.
The state’s “Buckle Up Phone Down” initiative continues to encourage drivers to wear seat belts and avoid phone use behind the wheel.
Work zone safety emphasized
With more than 1,000 roadway construction and maintenance projects planned statewide this year, officials say drivers are likely to encounter work zones throughout Indiana.
INDOT noted that most work zone injuries and fatalities involve motorists and passengers rather than highway workers.
Drivers are being reminded to:
- Slow down in work zones
- Follow posted signage
- Avoid distractions
- Observe reduced speed limits
Officials urge sober driving
State and national traffic safety officials are also emphasizing the dangers of impaired driving during the holiday period.
According to the National Safety Council, 38% of fatal traffic crashes during the 2024 Memorial Day holiday involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
Officials are encouraging motorists to use rideshare services, public transportation, or designated drivers if consuming alcohol.
Hoosier Helpers to assist motorists
INDOT’s Hoosier Helper Safety Service Patrol will operate Sunday and Monday in the Indianapolis area during the holiday weekend.
The patrol provides:
- Traffic control at crash scenes
- Limited roadside assistance
- Minor medical support
- Assistance with disabled vehicles
INDOT says Hoosier Helpers have assisted more than 400,000 motorists since the program began in 1991.
Next steps
Officials say motorists should continue monitoring travel conditions through INDOT resources throughout the holiday weekend.
Traffic is expected to remain elevated through Memorial Day Monday due to holiday travel and Indianapolis 500 activities.
The Takeaway
- Indiana officials expect heavy Memorial Day traffic statewide as more than 960,000 Hoosiers prepare to travel and Indianapolis 500 events draw additional visitors.
- INDOT will temporarily suspend many roadway restrictions beginning Friday afternoon to help reduce congestion during the holiday weekend.
- State leaders are urging drivers to practice safe driving habits by wearing seat belts, avoiding distractions, slowing down in work zones, and never driving impaired.
