It's the day for fireworks, picnics and celebrating our nations independence. That means lots of you will spend at least part of your July 4th on the road.
Wherever you're going, troopers will be out. Friday and Saturday there will be a statewide saturation patrol along with several DUI checkpoints.

But Trooper Lori Olney says it's not just drunk drivers she's looking for. Drivers also need to remember the basics, don't go too fast, wear your seat belts and allow enough time to get to your destination. "It's like any other holiday, people are either in a hurry to get to the lake or in a hurry to get to a family get together or recreational area."

Mark Klawitter and his family are passing though Sioux Falls on their way to Minnesota. He drives for a living and notices the amount of vehicles on the road this holiday weekend. "I drive a semi for a living and yeah, big difference. There's not as many."

Back on patrol Trooper Olney says the patrol isn't out looking to make arrests or write tickets. "We're just out to encourage people to operate more safely, slow down, wear their seat-belts."

Trooper Olney says she can't tell a difference this year as far as fewer drivers or drives going slower because of higher fuel prices. She says it may just be too early in the travel season for those trends to show up.