The Albert Lea Police Department and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office began a stepped-up DWI enforcement campaign on Wednesday that will continue through the end of December.

The campaign, a component of the state’s Toward Zero Deaths program, is taking place statewide and will run on weekends.

“As people host holiday parties, it’s crucial for everyone to have a plan before consuming alcohol,” said Albert Lea Police Department Lt. Jeff Strom. “As your guests arrive, ask them about their plans, and if they don’t have a plan, get them a ride home or offer them a bed for the night. It’s much better to lie in a bed than a coffin.”

According to a press release, drunken driving has contributed to 28 deaths on Minnesota roads from the day before Thanksgiving through Dec. 30 in the last five years.

The release stated there were 12,490 DWI arrests in the same time period.

Though the holiday with the highest DWI arrests has been Halloween in the last five years, Thanksgiving still ranks high with an average of 3.6 DWI arrests per hour.

Local authorities call the day before Thanksgiving as one of the most dangerous nights on the road in the state, as many college students are returning home for a night of celebrating with friends and many have no work on Thanksgiving.

Authorities encourage people to plan for a safe ride by designating a sober driver, using an alternative transportation option or staying at the location of the celebration.

People can offer to be a designated driver or be available to pick up a loved one if needed. It is also important to wear a seat belt and to call police if you witness any impaired driving behavior.

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