The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are among the top holidays with the highest percentage of drunken driving-related fatalities in Minnesota.

From 2006 through 2015, there were 3,834 DWI arrests and 11 drunken driving-related fatalities for the Christmas holiday, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

We encourage drivers not to add to these statistics this holiday season.

Though Christmas falls on a weekend this year — which might appear to be an open invitation for some to do more drinking — we encourage people to be responsible and prevent drunken driving by using the following tips:

• Plan for a safe ride.

• Designate a sober driver.

• Use a cab or public transportation or stay at the location of the celebration.

• Offer to be a designated driver or be available to pick up a loved one anytime, anywhere.

• Wear your seat belt.

• Report drunken driving. Call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior.

Be prepared to provide a location, license plate number and observed dangerous behavior.

All it can take is one poor choice.