The Albert Lea Police Department will begin a stepped-up enforcement today in an effort to crack down on drunken drivers.

The effort, coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, will continue through Dec. 28.

“Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to come together, not a time to be torn apart by a preventable crash,” said Albert Lea Police Lt. Jeff Strom in a news release. “Make safe decisions behind the wheel to avoid a tragedy or the consequences.”

According to a news release, seven people were killed on Minnesota roads from 2010 through 2012 during the Thanksgiving travel period — from Wednesday through Sunday of Thanksgiving week. Of those seven, five were killed because of a crash that involved drunken driving.

During the same time frame, police across the state arrested 1,522 people for drunken driving, the release stated.

The news release advised motorists to follow the five traffic safety tips to ensure safe travel:

• Buckle up.

• Plan for enough travel time to avoid the urge to speed.

• Reduce speed if weather or road conditions deteriorate.

• Pay attention.

• Plan for a safe and sober ride home if you plan on drinking.

The Albert Lea Police Department has designated driver gift cards for free at the Law Enforcement Center. People can fill out the cards, offering to be a designated driver on a certain day, and give them to their friends or family.

A DWI conviction can result in the loss of a driver’s license for up to a year, thousands in costs and possible jail time.

Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at a 0.16 alcohol-concentration level or higher, 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.

The extra DWI enforcement campaign is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety initiative.