Record travel expected ahead of Independence Day

MAINE (WABI) – Heading to Moosehead Lake for Independence Day? How about Bar Harbor?

If so, you won’t be alone.

AAA is forecasting the busiest Fourth of July on record with about 71 million Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more during the nine-day holiday period.

That includes an estimated 3.5 million New Englanders.

While some will travel by plane, cruise ship, or tour bus, the majority, about 90%, will hit the road in their automobile.

”We’re in Vacationland. We have a lot of folks coming into the state throughout the summer months. And when it comes to the Fourth of July, we have a huge influx coming in over that, basically, one week period. We do have a new law in our books in Maine that calls for you to slow down and move over, even if it’s just a disabled vehicle on the side of the road. We all want to get to our destination safely. So, preparing yourself and then dealing with those situations appropriately and responsibly is of the utmost importance when you’re sharing the road with so many other vehicles,” said Pat Moody, Public Affairs Manager, AAA Northern New England.

Other pieces of advice include: prepare you trip in advance, drive defensively, and be prepared for a breakdown with a road safety kit.

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