41 million people are expected to travel this holiday weekend, the highest number since before the recession in 2007, according to the travel club, AAA.
State police from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine have a warning for those drivers enjoying the holiday in the New England area - common sense is what will save lives.
Because the holiday falls on a Saturday, most people have Friday off, and many people are starting their holiday as early as Wednesday, so police are starting their July Fourth patrols in just hours.
At a press conference Tuesday, each state police representative had a specific message for drivers.
Maine State Police Lt. Eric Baker said the state has seen fatal July Fourth crashes drop from six in 2013 to one last year.
"That's still one too many fatalities in the state of Maine," Lt. Baker said. "We will be out patrolling those areas, using a lot of different techniques that we have in order to make sure people get to where they are going safely."
New Hampshire Police are reminding drivers that the hands free law goes into effect Wednesday, so they say put your phone down or face a fine.
"We want motorists who are not aware of this from other states to be aware," said NH State Police Capt. Gary Wood. "If troopers see these violations they will take action."
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Massachusetts State Police are making drivers aware of their two Breath Alcohol Testing vehicles, called "BAT mobiles" for short.
The vehicles will be at sobriety checkpoints every weekend this summer.
"It's like a self contained mini police station," said Capt. Michael Drummy of the Mass State Police. "They can do almost everything in there."
Police say the BAT mobile cuts booking time from several hours to just thirty minutes.
"Some of our checkpoints have yielded up to 15 or 20 arrests at one checkpoint," Capt. Drummy said. "I think it's an effective tool for removing drunk drivers before they actually get out on the highways and cause problems."
While police will be out in full force, they're still asking for your help.
They say buckle up, slow down, pay attention, and don't drink and drive.
"Make our job easier, make sure we don't have to go tell a family member someone has died in a crash," Lt. Baker said.
The travel numbers are so high this year in part, experts say, because despite seasonal increases, holiday gas prices are the lowest they've been in five years.
