AAA predicts that nearly 1.6 million Michiganders will travel during the holiday, with nearly 90 percent of them traveling by car.
While Independence Day celebrations are traditionally known for outdoor events and family get-togethers, AAA says the holiday has become notorious for crashes and fatalities on the road.
According to Michigan State Police, over 42 percent of the fatal crashes involved alcohol and over 42 percent involved a motorcycle or off-road vehicle.
With so many vehicles on the road, AAA encourages motorists to plan ahead for getting home safely.
AAA's Seven Safe Celebration Tips:
- Always drive safe and sober.
- Designate an alcohol and other drug-free driver before the party starts.
- Be a responsible party host and check out the Great Pretenders Party Guide.
- If you have had too much to drink, use the TOW TO GO program in Michigan offered by AAA in partnership with Budweiser. These are the guidelines: Call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246. Available Tuesday, July 3, until 6 a.m. on Thursday, July 5 for a confidential local ride to a safe location within 10 miles. The AAA tow truck takes the vehicle and the driver home. Free and available to AAA members and non-members
- Call a cab, Uber, Lyft or plan to stay the night if you have had too much to drink.
- Use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) SaferRide appto help keep drunk drivers off the roads. It allows users to call a taxi or a friend and identify their location so they can be picked up.
- None for the road. One drink can be one too many.
- Never ride in a car with someone who is intoxicated.
- Report impaired drivers to local law enforcement immediately
