The Independence Day holiday ensures plenty of highway traffic, and this year the amount of travelers is expected to soar to a record 41.4 million in automobiles.

Combined with air, bus and other types of travel, AAA Travel said nearly 49 million Americans will be on the move, with most of the travel beginning July 3.

For Cullman County, the daytime hours for the holiday are not particularly challenging, but Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper said the nighttime hours will become more crowded as local residents and visitors begin departing celebrations at Smith Lake Park and Heritage Park.

“We typically do well with a regular shift during the day, but by evening we will have additional officers on duty because of traffic concerns,” Culpepper said. “Some of the roads we see the most problems on are Alabama 157 and (U.S.) 278.”

Alabama Senior State Trooper Chuck Daniel said because of issues with wrecks and fatalities in recent years, troopers have been changing shift patterns at peak times for traffic.

“We’ve seen some decreases in fatalities and injuries because of some of the initiatives we’ve taken,” Daniel said. “But the troopers and other law enforcement can’t make all the difference. People are going to have to stop and think, reconsider the responsibility of driving. Driving on the highway is the most dangerous thing you will ever do.”

The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, which assists at accident scenes, is using school resource deputies to beef up patrols across the county. The Cullman Police Department, Culpepper said, has all officers trained to work traffic duties and has three traffic homicide investigators.

Nationally, the increase in holiday travel will rise 4.1 percent over last year.

AAA contends the robust economy and cheaper gas prices are major factors for the expected increase in travel. In 2018, troopers worked 18 traffic fatalities in Alabama during the July 4 holiday period. In 2017, troopers were involved in investigating eight traffic deaths and a drowning.

AAA reported that traffic delays will be felt most in metropolitan areas beginning July 3 as commuters mix with holiday travelers.

“As Independence Day approaches, it’s time for the much loved family road trip and this year will be one for the record books, with more Americans than ever planning vacations,” said Paula Twidale, vice president of AAA Travel. “This holiday builds on the strong travel demand seen for Memorial Day, and with schools out of session across the country, families coast to coast are eager to travel.”