Road travel is expected to be down this Memorial Day weekend - the traditional start of the summer driving season - because of record-high gasoline prices.

But police say it is still no reason to not drive safely, obey speed limits and, especially, to wear seat belts.

To ensure residents have a safe and happy holiday, all 10 police departments in the Attleboro area are increasing patrols with funding from the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau.

All the departments and state police are participating along with 230 other departments in what is called the Spring 2008 Click It or Ticket Mobilization, which runs through the holiday to June 4.

"This Click It or Ticket Mobilization is an opportunity for all of us to remember the importance of buckling up," said Mansfield Police Chief Arthur O'Neill, a past president of the state's Chiefs of Police Association. North Attleboro Police Chief Michael P. Gould Sr. is urging everyone to respect other motorists sharing the road, especially during busy holidays when traffic is often unavoidable.

"Our officers will be out in force providing a significant presence and were assertive in promoting the use of seat belts, removing impaired drivers and curtailing aggressive drivers and speeders from our roads," Gould said.

In Attleboro last weekend, a 17-year-old Attleboro High School student was killed, and another was seriously injured when they were thrown from a Jeep after it struck a tree.

It has not been determined whether the teens were wearing seat belts.

Police Chief Richard Pierce declined to comment on the crash because it is still under investigation.

But Pierce said in his 30 years in law enforcement, he has known of accidents where seat belts could have saved lives or at least prevented serious injury.

"Obviously, wearing seat belts is very important. It's proven they save lives," he said.

Travel predictions for the upcoming holiday are that fewer people will be taking to the road because gasoline prices are approaching $4 a gallon.

AAA is projecting that the number of Memorial Day travelers will be less than last year, the first dip since 2002 when travel was still affected by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Driving a shorter distance may help explain why the Northeast region is projected to have the largest decline in auto travel over Memorial Day, down 2.9 percent from 2007, according to AAA Southern New England. Nationally, AAA is projecting 37.8 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend, a decrease of 0.9 percent over 2007. More than 80 percent expect to travel by automobile, a 1 percent decline from last year.

"Many Americans are feeling a financial pinch this holiday weekend from record-high gasoline prices and other factors in the economy," said Lloyd P. Albert, AAA Southern New England senior vice president of public and government affairs and new business development.

"Despite the small national decrease," Albert said, "we will still see a significant number of people traveling over Memorial Day. More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will be celebrating the holiday weekend away from home."

DAVID LINTON can be reached at 508-236-338 or at dlinton@thesunchronicle.com.