With the holiday weekend approaching, North Carolinians can expect to see a record number of travelers on the road. According to AAA spokesperson Tiffany Wright, the projected 1.25 million North Carolinians expected to be traveling this 4th of July is an all-time high.

“The historic number of travelers we’re going to see really just adds to what we already predicted we knew would shape up to be a busy summer travel season,” Wright said.

Lower gas prices are a likely catalyst for these record numbers. Prices are down eight cents from last year to $2.12 a gallon but, according to Wright, we may see a spike in prices as the weekend approaches.

“What you see at the pump today doesn’t mean you’re going to see that tomorrow,” Wright said. “In fact, we might see prices increase, albeit by a few pennies, as we get closer to the holiday weekend.”

The Fourth of July is a particularly dangerous day for drivers. Last year, North Carolina saw 13 traffic fatalities, four of which were alcohol related. Wright urged travelers to practice safe and alert driving habits while on the road this holiday weekend.

“Don’t drink and drive, buckle up, obey the speed limit, put the cell phone down,” Wright said. “Distracted driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. In fact, distracted driving is becoming an epidemic.”

According to Wright, the most popular Independence Day destinations for North Carolinians are Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, Wilmington, Charleston, Greenville, SC, and Washington, DC.

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