There's nothing like a fun road trip. The thrill of driving down the highway with no destination in mind is something of a rite of passage in America.

Recently, I met two young women who were on a senior road trip to Tennessee. That sounds very tame, but that's exactly what they wanted their parents to think. They did indeed travel by car to Tennessee, where they stayed every night.

But they hit the road every day. They went to Chicago, Indianapolis, Asheville, St. Louis and beyond. And they spent every night in Tennessee. I don't remember their names but I love them!

Last summer, my wife and I took our oldest grand on a trip out west. We drove from Atlanta to San Francisco to Yellowstone and back. I drove 7,425 miles or 7,245 miles.

It was the best!

We were towing a camper the whole time, so we didn't have to worry about finding a place to sleep. However, we had to spend several nights at truck stops and rest areas. I love a good truck stop.

Driving can be thrilling, but traffic can also be frustrating. While driving on Interstate 40 in Arkansas, I encountered a traffic jam. Immediately I turned on my trusty CB radio. Yes, I have a CB and my “handle” is a deputy dog.

It's always a thrill to talk to truck drivers. Trees were blown down along the main road and a parade of cars waited as road crews removed them. It was raining and dark.

This brings me back to the core of my thinking. An internet search confirmed that 118 police officers died in the line of duty in 2022. During the same period, 96 firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty. The loss of a life is tragic. It can be even more tragic to know that they died doing something for others.

Another internet search turned up a graphic about the death of a highway worker.

The latest year to report a full year is 2021. That year alone, 1,253 highway workers died in the line of duty. A further 25,830 people suffered serious injuries that caused them to lose work time. These figures reflect only those killed or injured in road accidents. Did anyone know?

As I drive along our nation's highways and back roads, I regularly see workers who risk their lives to pick up trash, fill potholes, mow medians, and do other road construction. I see it. I also noticed that very few people slowed down unless the blue light was flashing.

Everyone who fills potholes, puts up Christmas decorations, and fixes road signs is someone's son or daughter, father or mother, husband or wife.

Give them the brakes. Please take it easy for someone's family.

The road trip will be even better if everyone gets home safely.

Aaron Johnson is a contributor to Yellowhammer News. He is the pastor of Christ Redeemer Church in Guntersville.