The Albert Lea Police Department and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office will conduct extra drunken driving patrols through the holiday season.

The enhanced campaign that began Wednesday and lasts through Jan. 2 is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Deaths program, meant to eliminate road deaths by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior. Law enforcement officers from more than 300 agencies across the state will be participating.

Freeborn County Sheriff Kurt Freitag advised planning ahead if you will be drinking.

“When it comes to driving, have a plan in place,” Freitag said.

He said impaired drivers threaten their own lives and the lives of others, and the increased patrol will help motorists.

“Our big goal is to get the impaired motorists off the road,” Freitag said.

According to an Albert Lea Police Department press release, the percentage of drunken driving-related deaths compared with total traffic fatalities was significantly higher for Thanksgiving and Christmas than other holidays from 2010-14:

Thanksgiving: 53.8 percent

Christmas: 46.2 percent

Fourth of July: 40 percent

Memorial Day: 27.3 percent

Labor Day: 16.7 percent

New Year’s Day: 12.5 percent.

“You should not only be planning a sober ride home when you’re going to the bar, but also when you will be consuming alcohol at a friend’s or family’s home, or when attending holiday work parties,” said Albert Lea police Lt. Jeff Strom in the press release. “When hosting a celebration, don’t be afraid to speak up. Find guests a sober ride home, or let them sleep at your house. Employers hosting parties can arrange for sober transportation for their employees. You could be helping save lives that night.”

The release stated the day before Thanksgiving is the busiest bar day in Albert Lea. Former residents return to the city to meet in the bars and reconnect with old friends.

The Albert Lea Police Department will have two additional officers on duty patrolling specifically for impaired drivers.

Consequences for DWIs include:

Loss of license for up to a year, thousands of dollars in costs and possible jail time

Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above alcohol-concentration level must use ignition interlock in order to regain legal driving privileges or face at least one year without a driver’s license

Offenders with three or more offenses are required to use interlock for three to six years, or they will never regain driving privileges.