The following is sponsored content from AAA.
A record-breaking number of people are heading out for the Fourth of July holiday. Between June 27 and July 5, an estimated 61.4 million people nationwide are expected to travel by car. In Wyoming alone, thousands of drivers will navigate busy highways during one of the year’s peak travel periods.
This surge in holiday traffic increases the hazards on Wyoming roads. Every driver has the power to reduce that danger by making responsible choices behind the wheel.
AAA is calling on Wyoming drivers to do their part to practice responsible driving habits this holiday by planning a safe ride home and slowing down and moving over for stopped roadside vehicles.
Plan Ahead for a Safe Ride Home
The Fourth of July weekend is one of the most dangerous travel periods on the road. With summer travel in full swing, roads are increasingly crowded with vacationing families, teen drivers, and holiday celebrations that can lead to an increase in impaired driving.
According to AAA crash data analysis, nearly one in three summertime traffic deaths involves an impaired driver. From 2019 to 2023, there were 2,653 traffic fatalities during the Fourth of July holiday period alone. More than 1,600 of those fatalities were drivers, and approximately 38% of those drivers were under the influence. Drivers ages 21-34 represented the highest percentage of drunk drivers at 48%.
Behind these numbers are families whose loved ones did not make it home. AAA is calling on all drivers to commit to drive responsibly by planning a safe ride home before heading out to ensure everyone in our community makes it home safely.
Protecting Every Person Stopped on the Shoulder
When a car breaks down on I-80 or US-287, roadside workers come to the rescue, exposed to the dangers of the highway. Tow truck operators, emergency responders, and service professionals step onto the shoulder everyday to help motorists in need. These are the roadside heroes, the people who get you home safely when everything goes wrong.
Last year, AAA responded to more than 250 calls for roadside assistance in Wyoming during the Fourth of July travel period alone. Behind every emergency on the shoulder is someone's loved one – not just the stranded motorist, but the roadside hero who stops to render aid. Each of us shares the responsibility of ensuring everyone makes it home safely.
Research shows nearly 90% of roadside fatalities occur on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or higher, where speeding compounds the danger. Yet compliance with "Slow Down, Move Over" laws remains alarmingly low. A 2025 survey from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found only 64% of drivers actually slow down or move over near roadside incidents. For tow truck operators, compliance drops to just 58%.
Slowing down and moving over goes far beyond following the law. It directly protects the lives of everyone sharing the road with us.
Two Simple Commitments
AAA urges Wyoming drivers to make two commitments this Fourth of July:
- Slow down and move over when you see any stopped vehicle on the roadside – emergency vehicles, tow trucks, or disabled cars. Scan the road ahead to ensure you can move over or reduce your speed significantly. Give roadside workers and stranded motorists the space and safety they deserve.
- Plan a safe ride home before you go out. If you're celebrating, arrange your ride in advance. Avoid driving impaired or drowsy, which is nearly as dangerous. Don't underestimate the risk.
As Wyomingites celebrate the Fourth of July navigating America’s busy highways, remember: Safety is a shared responsibility because the next person stranded on the side of the road waiting for help could be you or someone you love.
Slow down. Move over. Plan your ride before you celebrate. Help ensure everyone makes it home safely.
