Many people travel on the Fourth, often driving long distances—and without the wariness or extra foresight they might take on famously boozy New Year’s. Between 2004 and 2008, an average of 148 people died in traffic accidents on July 4, more than any other day of the year, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Nearly 41 percent of then were alcohol-related, compared to 31 percent on an average day.