Connecticut's highways will be crowded this weekend as people head out for the Independence Day holiday weekend.
AAA expects more than 2.25 million New Englanders will hit the roads for the 4th of July. Many will be headed to Connecticut state parks and beaches, while others will be driving out of state to start their vacations.
State police say they have already seen an increase in traffic on Connecticut's roads ahead of the holiday weekend.
They will have extra patrols throughout the weekend and are asking drivers to obey the rules of the road.
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Troopers will be using a number of enforcement methods over the weekend, including laser units to catch speeders, marked and unmarked vehicles, as well as non-traditional police vehicles to patrol state highways, according to state police.
"On behalf of the Connecticut State Police, I ask everyone to be our partners in keeping roadways safe this weekend and throughout the summer,” said State Police Colonel Stavros Mellekas. “Everyone – including Troopers – wants to make it safely to their destinations. So we ask all motor vehicle operators to follow state law to keep themselves, their passengers, and all first responders safe while on the roads.”
For those taking longer trips, AAA suggests bringing along a summer emergency road kit. The kit should include:
- Fully charged cell phone and car charger
- First-aid kit
- Blanket
- Flashlight with extra fresh batteries
- Rags, paper towels or pre-moistened wipes
- Emergency warning devices such as road flares or reflectors
- Jumper cables
- Drinking water/snacks for everyone in the car including pets
