Highway safety officials are hoping that this year's Thanksgiving travel period, which begins Wednesday afternoon and continues through Sunday, will be less tragic than 2002, when 10 people died on Oklahoma roads. Three of the those deaths were alcohol-related and half of the victims were not wearing safety belts.

Police Chief Mike Patterson said he does not anticipate traffic to be a big issue within our city limits. He said the number of people traveling into the city for Thanksgiving will be about the same as those traveling away for the holiday.

"There will be a lot of people in town on Friday because it's a big shopping day," said Patterson, referring to the infamous start of the Christmas season spending spree.

"We always encourage anyone who's traveling to buckle up and practice defensive driving." Patterson said, "In 34 years of law enforcement, I've never unbuckled a dead person," said Patterson.

Americans are expected to drive and fly in increased numbers this holiday, according to AAA Oklahoma spokesman Chuck Mai.

AAA estimates that 36 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, up 2.4 percent from the 35.2 million who traveled last year.

In Oklahoma, AAA projects 462,300 travelers will be getting to Grandma's house by motor vehicle over the Thanksgiving holiday period, a two percent increase from last year -- and another 55,200 will be flying, up 3.3 percent over Thanksgiving 2002.

Auto travelers across the country will find gas prices down about 24 cents from the all-time high set before the Labor Day holiday. The Nov. 13 AAA Fuel Gauge national average of $1.50 for a gallon of self-serve regular is about four cents per gallon higher than last Thanksgiving.

In Oklahoma, the average of $1.346 was half a cent below the statewide price average recorded on Nov. 13, 2002 and 7.6 cents lower than one month ago. Prices are even lower today in Tulsa ($1.279) and Oklahoma City ($1.321).

Oklahoma motorists currently enjoy the second lowest state gasoline price average of all the 50 states. Only Georgia, at $1.333, had a lower state average. California has the most expensive gasoline of the 48 contiguous states, at $1.728.

"With unsafe speed leading by a huge margin as the number one cause of death, we can't stress enough the importance of slowing down and driving safely," said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lieutenant Chris West.

Reports show that Thanksgiving is the highest-traveled holiday of the year, and it's the longest with a four-day weekend.