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It’s expected to be a super busy weekend on the roadways. AAA expects the second most travelers ever for the Fourth of July — surpassed only by 2019.

It’s clear as a country most people have put the COVID-19 pandemic behind them, which shows how far we’ve come in just one year. A year ago traveling around the Fourth of July was not recommended. This year it’s a much different world, especially for people who have had the vaccine.

So, if you’re hitting the roadways, know it’s going to be very congested, depending on your destination. Make sure you plan accordingly and leave early enough where you don’t need to speed to make it on time.

That means not procrastinating when packing too. Go ahead and get everything ready ahead of time.

But even if you’re driving somewhere, we ask that you be safe. We’ve already harped on firework safety this week, so we won’t delve deep into that subject again.

We encourage you to know the laws, know the dangerous and take precautions when shooting off fireworks.

The Fourth, understandably, is also always a busy weekend for West Point Lake. With that in mind, we encourage boaters to stay safe. Make sure you follow boating laws, have enough life jackets on board and remember not to drink and boat. It doesn’t take much on the water for a situation to turn dangerous.

The Fourth of July should be a joyous occasion, one where we spend some time with family and enjoy some time away from work while being thankful for this great country.

Plan your weekend accordingly and be safely.