By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

Anyone looking to travel for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend can expect the usual heavy traffic.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is predicting 39 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home for the Independence Day holiday weekend.

According to AAA, 39 million is a 2.5 percent decrease from the 40 million Americans who traveled for the holiday this time last year.

AAA believes the number of people traveling is down this year due to gasoline prices being approximately $1 per gallon higher than they were during the holiday weekend last year.

The national average for gasoline is $3.65 per gallon, while the Alabama average is $3.45 per gallon.

It’s also predicting slightly more Americans will travel by air this year and that others will economize, staying in cheaper motels and eating at cheaper restaurants, in order to compensate for higher gas prices.

AAA is also expecting 3 million people to travel by air this holiday, but five out of every six travelers will drive to their destination.

AAA-Alabama is teaming with wrecker services across the state in order to help keep motorists safe for the holiday.

For the 23rd year, AAA-Alabama will offer its public service program, Tow-for-Life. The free program offers free towing services to keep impaired drivers off the road.

The service will be available beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 2 and ends at midnight Monday, July 4.

AAA-Alabama says those who have had too much to drink can call 1-800-AAA-HELP and a tow truck will be sent to their location to get them home safely.