Travelers who decided to hit the road on the Fourth of July weekend were not only concerned about the soaring gas prices, but also about safety, with the holiday being notorious for DUI accidents.

Rick Williams says he'll gladly take the pain at the pump to see his family, but he is worried about unsafe behavior on the roads.

?We have to be more conscious of other people on the road,? Williams says, ?and it's very important to think of other people driving and not just ourselves.?

While drivers are urged to pay attention to the road, some are taking their own precautions, like making sure that all the passengers are buckled up before heading out.

Now, drivers should expect hefty fines and a ticket if they are caught speeding or driving under the influence this weekend. As early as Friday morning, police in the towns of Somers and Cortland handed out 76 tickets in only six hours.

Some holiday travelers, like Angel Martinez, switched from four wheels to two wheels to avoid the risks and the cost of driving on July 4th.

?We're going to take out the rusty bikes, add some seats on the back,? Martinez says. ?My wife will take one child, and I'll take the other one because we can't afford the price of gas.?