Local authorities plan to increase patrols during the Thanksgiving travel period and are stressing the importance of safe driving with more cars on the roads.

To crack down on drunken and reckless drivers, the Gainesville Police Department will be participating in Operation Click It or Ticket and Operation Zero Tolerance through the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

"Be extra cautious," said Kevin Holbrook, public information officer for the department. "Many people are staying closer to home. They're not flying, they're driving because of the economy. So be more careful and pay close attention to others."

The Georgia State Patrol also will begin its increased enforcement at 6 p.m. today and it will end Sunday night.

A patrol policy requires at least 75 percent of a post's patrol to be working during the holiday travel times.

"We'll probably be running some laser details on the interstates," said Sgt. Dean Allen, commander of Gainesville's post. "We'll be looking for reckless driving, DUIs and keying in on seat belts. Those are our main things."

Those three elements of unsafe driving are the leading causes of wrecks, said Col. Mark McDonough, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

"Reducing the number of crashes involving speed, alcohol and seat belt violations will save many lives each year in Georgia," he said. "That's why we patrol — to save lives."

During last year's Thanksgiving travel period, 2,571 wrecks were reported statewide, with 1,099 injuries and 13 deaths, according to the state's Department of Transportation.

Authorities said they expect this year's numbers to be about the same as last year's.

This year, travel is expect to increase by 4 percent nationwide, according to AAA Auto Club South. They expect 42.5 million Americans to take a trip of 50 miles or more.

"This is definitely a positive sign for the travel industry," said Brent Hubele, vice president for AAA Travel. "Despite sluggish economic news, more people plan to travel this year than last, showing a slow, but steady recovery."

More people may opt to travel by car because of increased airfare. Thanksgiving airfares are expected to be 20 percent higher than last year.

One thing drivers won't have to worry about is lane closures from construction work. The DOT will suspend all construction-related lane closures beginning 5 a.m. today through 10 p.m. Sunday.