NEW YORK, NY July 03, 2009 —Two million five hundred thousand New Yorkers will hit the roads today for the holiday weekend. That's according to AAA New York. Spokesperson Robert Sinclair Junior says the numbers are down sharply from recent years. And that's due mostly to the tough economy.

SINCLAIR: Gas prices, though they are considerably lower compared to last year, they're still a lot higher and that sharp rise has shocked a lot of people into staying closer to home.

Sinclair also advises drivers to be especially careful this weekend. He says July 3rd is the most dangerous driving day of the year, followed by July 4th. Drinking and driving, not wearing seatbelts, and inattention to the road are the primary factors.