Who doesn’t love celebrating the 4th of July? Watching firework shows, grilling hotdogs and burgers, donning red, white, and blue, celebrating with your loved ones- these are just some of the best things we do during America’s birthday. We may have not been able to do it all last year, but with COVID-19 restrictions lifting across the country, we can get together once again.
AAA Newsroom projects that travel will increase by 40 percent this Independence Day weekend compared to the same time last year, reaching the second-highest travel volume on record. That may not be saying much, considering that a majority of Americans celebrated last year’s 4th of July alone and at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, these statistics are impressive when you consider that the highest travel volume happened in 2019.
Regardless of the numbers, Americans across the country are itching to get out of the house and party with family and friends. Before you enjoy any Independence Day celebrations, it’s important that you nail down your travel plans. Keep reading to find out what you need to know before you take off for your holiday weekend.
How To Prepare For The Holiday
Plan Around the Weather Forecast
It’s thunderstorm season in Tampa, meaning that you’ll want to know the weather forecastbefore you make your plans. No one wants to be stuck on I-75 in the pouring rain. Heavy rainfall can cause low visibility on the road. This puts you at a higher risk of a car crash, making it a no-brainer to plan your holiday around the weather.
Avoid Traffic on the Road
You want to avoid traffic any time you’re on the road. You especially want to avoid it during holidays. Below are the projected best and worst times to travel by day during the fourth of July weekend; take a look.
Make Sure Your Car Is in Shape
Many of us haven’t had to drive long distances in 15+ months. Make sure your car is up to the task and take care of any needed repairs before you hit the road this holiday weekend.
Hotspots To Look Out For
It’s just a fact of life that some freeways and roads get more traffic than others. Like you would any other day, look out for hotspots on major freeways and roads like:
- I-275
- I-4
- I-75
- Veterans’ Expressway
- Leroy Semon Cross Expressway
- Kennedy Boulevard
- Gandy Boulevard
- Hillsborough Avenue
- Fowler Avenue
- Dale Mabry Highway
- and Florida/Nebraska Avenue
Take even extra precaution when traveling to and From Orlando, whether that is through I-4 or I-75, Orlando is expected to be the number one travel destination this holiday weekend!
It’s America’s birthday, so it’s no surprise that venues are going to be packed. On top of busy freeways and roads, you’ll also want to be aware of party hotspots like:
- Amalie Arena
- Downtown Tampa
- Hyde Park
- The Riverwalk
- SoHo (South Howard Avenue)
- Ybor City
Hancock Injury Attorneys
Our team at Hancock Injury Attorneys greatly values Independence Day, which is why we believe it’s so important that you have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend.
However, if you’re unexpectedly injured in a car accident over the holiday weekend, you will need a personal injury attorney. Only an attorney will be able to walk you through the claims process, guide you through all the legal actions you can take, and advise you on the best course of action.
Don’t settle for just any personal injury lawyer. For more than three decades, attorney Mike Hancock has helped people just like you get the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Contact us online or call at (813) 911-1110 for any legal questions you may have or if you have a personal injury case.