TYLER, Texas — With this weekend being tax-free weekend, officials say there will be a high volume of traffic in and outside shopping centers.
Families were out and about this week, trying to take advantage of this tax-free weekend to purchase some last-minute items on a bit of a discount.
“We came out today to get some school clothes for the kids and shoes and everything for back to school, do a little shopping before they start next week,” shopper Nora Upton said.
More families shopping means traffic on the roads will be an issue this weekend, according to Andy Erbaugh, pokesperson for the Tyler Police Department.
“The tax free weekend comes around and people leave the stores and the stores get busy. It's a good thing for Tyler but more people are out, which means more traffic,” Erbaugh said.
Families are already feeling the effects of the tax free weekend.
“There's a lot of traffic inside and everything like that. It's very crowded,” Upton said. “Just a lot of traffic with it being back to school and tax free weekend and traffic is really horrible today.”
Families were doing their best to get a one-up on congestion by starting their shopping early.
“What we're doing today, just trying to beat the crowds and the traffic,” shopper Emily Kirkley said. “Tyler already has high traffic. It's really congested, and just trying to beat the traffic.”
“I'm trying to come a little bit later, hopefully everybody has done all this shopping earlier,” shopper Shana Arps said.
Erbaugh doesn't expect car burglaries to increase this tax-free weekend compared to any other weekend, but he suggested taking some precautions.
“If you're going to go to multiple stores, or you’re going to go out for lunch, just put the stuff in the trunk, or some place where they can't see it and you should be OK,” Erbaugh said.
To avoid traffic, officials suggest shopping online to beat the crowds. But nothing beats shopping in stores, some families said.
“For me, I like to go inside stores and shop. Sometimes I do a little shopping online, but basically, I like going inside stores,” Arps said.
Erbaugh encouraged drivers to be extra cautious this weekend and expect delays.
“Plan your route, pack some extra time in your weekend and realize that it's going to be busier,” Erbaugh said. “The restaurants may be busier during the day and you may have to wait longer, so just take a breath and you'll be OK.”