KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Wednesday marks the big day for travelers like you who may be heading to relatives or tourist destinations like Sevier County to enjoy the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

But east Tennessee travel could get a little tricky this year.

Rock slides and construction zones are two big things that could slow you down this holiday weekend.

But even with all the construction going on in Sevier County, some newly installed cameras will not slow you down but rather help you get through quicker.

Knoxville police are hoping to keep you safe on the roads this weekend so Chief Sterling Owen says to keep three things in mind.

Slow down, leave early, and be patient.

"We don't want those good times to be interrupted by a traffic crash or heaven forbid a serious injury or fatality," says KPD Chief Sterling Owen.

Area law enforcement will have a close eye, particularly on the interstates and areas near shopping centers.

"We had a five percent reduction in crashes in 09 from 08 and we're pleased with that," says Chief Owen.

Chief Owen says leaving early also applies elsewhere where rock slides have Highway 64 in Polk County and I-40 at the North Carolina border still closed making for an I-81 to I-26 detour.

"It adds about an hour to your drive but by far it's a better way to go. You're on the interstate the entire way," says TDOT spokesman Travis Brickey.

Then there's the construction area on the parkway from I-40 if you're headed to tourist destinations like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

"Maybe it's going to be a benefit. I hope it helps us in the long run. They say it will," says traveler J.B. Watson.

But add plenty of holiday traffic.

"You know, we're expecting traffic to be a little slower because of all the orange barrels that will be up," says Sevierville Public Information Officer Bob Stahlke.

But getting through may be easier than you might think. Stahlke says in the last couple of weeks they've installed traffic controlling cameras that can actually adjust to traffic flow.

"The advantage these have is they can actually see vehicles down the road as well. It's not just at the stop position they can see vehicles," says Stahlke.

Brickey says unnecessary lane closures for work projects will not be closed from noon Wednesday through 6 am Monday.

The Sevierville parkway will have all four lanes open.

Just because you may be off heading out for Thanksgiving, road crews may not.

Brickey says speed limits in construction areas will remain in effect.