EXCITEMENT RUNNING HIGH FOR FOURTH OF JULY; SOUTHLANDERS HITTING ROAD IN DROVES AS 3-DAY CRUNCH BEGINS.

Byline: Lisa Van Proyen Daily News Staff Writer

With visions of lounge chairs parked in the warm summer sand, hot dogs smothered in relish and family get-togethers out of town, holiday travelers got an early start on cramming Southland roadways Thursday.

The commute was made a little easier as one lane in each direction of a 1.5-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway was reopened in Malibu after a rock slide last month closed a portion of the scenic route.

But California Highway Patrol officials still noticed motorists getting a head start in the San Fernando Valley, with traffic starting to back up after noon.

``It's moving, but it's pretty slow,'' said CHP Officer Richard Perez. ``Some people, I understand, got off early Thursday to start their holiday weekend. It's heavier than your normal commute.''

A six-vehicle crash occurred at noon on the San Diego Freeway near Victory Boulevard in Van Nuys, but only minor to moderate injuries were reported. Traffic backed up to the Ronald Reagan Freeway, about eight miles from the pileup, which involved at least two separate crashes after a vehicle stalled near the fast lane.

And the commute is only expected to get worse today, officials said.

But this holiday weekend, CHP officials anticipate fewer fatalities and traffic collisions because the Fourth of July lands on a weekend day, said CHP Officer Tito Gomez.

When the summer holiday is on a weekday, the holiday is extended for workers, resulting in more motorists on roadways, he said.

Last year, the Fourth was on a Friday, and 60 deaths on state highways and unincorporated areas were reported during the holiday. The last time it fell on a weekend day was in 1992, when only 31 deaths were reported, Gomez said.

``Most people will be leaving Friday evening. . . . We certainly do expect fewer fatalities,'' he said. ``People tend to leave town when there's a longer vacation period.''

But nationally, the Automobile Club of Southern California is expecting a very busy travel weekend, with 6.4 million trips by car in the Western region, including California, said Jeff Spring, an Auto Club spokesman. That marks a 2 percent increase over last year.

Nationwide, Americans are expected to take 31.6 million trips by car, truck or RV, according to an Auto Club survey of 1,500 adults nationwide, Spring said. An additional 5.3 million trips are expected by plane, train and bus.

``It'll be a near-record travel weekend,'' Spring said. ``We believe it's just the increasing confidence in the economy.''

Gas prices are also down in California, with the average per-gallon price at $1.25 this year, vs. last year's average of $1.36, Spring said.

The top destination points for Californians are San Diego, the Central Coast from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo, the Colorado River, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

At local airports, operations were going smoothly, with the holiday rush not expected until today.

Some 160,000 to 190,000 passengers were expected daily at Los Angeles International Airport today through Monday, said Tom Winfrey, an airport spokesman. On a normal day, fewer than 160,000 passengers visit the airport.

``Give yourself time so that you're not frazzled by the long lines and traffic on the freeways,'' Winfrey said.

He suggested that those dropping off passengers take advantage of Lot B at 111th Street and La Cienega Boulevard or Lot C at 96th Street and Sepulveda Boulevard, where they can park free of charge for two hours and get shuttled into terminals.

TIPS FOR THE ROAD

Get plenty of rest before long trips and plan ahead by leaving early.

Map out an alternate route to avoid congestion delays.

Carry plenty of drinking water in the vehicle and a windshield shade for reducing heat buildup.

Have a cellular phone ready with a charged spare battery.

Before the trip, inspect coolant and oil levels. Check for cracked belts or hoses, and check tires for uneven or excessive wear. Ensure spare tire is properly inflated.

When traveling by plane, allow a couple hours for domestic flights, three hours for international flights.

Be courteous to other drivers.

Sources: Automobile Club of Southern California and California Highway Patrol.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULES

GOVERNMENT: Most federal, state, county and city offices, courts, libraries and animal shelters will be closed today and Saturday.

MAIL: The U.S. Postal Service will deliver today. There will be no mail delivered Saturday.

SCHOOLS: Public schools will be closed today.

TRANSIT: Buses in Los Angeles will run on a regular schedule today and on a holiday schedule Saturday.

Buses in Ventura County also will run on a regular schedule today and on a holiday schedule Saturday.

Metrolink will operate on a regular schedule today and will not run Saturday. Commuter and Dial-A-Ride buses will run on a regular schedule today but will not run Saturday.

Subway service will be operating on regular schedules today and on holiday schedules Saturday.

In Santa Clarita, buses will run on a regular schedule today and on a holiday schedule Saturday.

Antelope Valley Transit Authority service will operate on a regular schedule today and on a holiday schedule Saturday.

BANKS: Banks will operate during regular hours today and will be closed Saturday.

GARBAGE: Los Angeles Sanitation Department collectors will operate on a regular schedule today.

STORES: Some department stores and supermarkets will be open today.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, 2 Boxes

PHOTO (1) Traffic on Pacific Coast Highway rolls past cargo containers set up by Caltrans to guard against further landslides.

David Sprague/Daily News

(2) Caltrans workers lash together cargo containers with bolted cable to act as a barrier between the slide area and the open road.

BOX: (1) TIPS FOR THE ROAD (See text)

(2) HOLIDAY SCHEDULES (See text)