More than 300 law enforcement agencies across the state will be conducting extra DWI enforcement patrols starting this week and running weekends through Dec. 30, according to a press release. 

The extra enforcement and education effort is coordinated by the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.

Making sure drinking and driving does not turn a time of Thanksgiving into a time of tragedy requires a team effort; each Minnesotan needs to make the right choice and speak up to help others from making a bad decision.

Officers, deputies and troopers work overtime shifts to remove drunk drivers from the road.

The Happy Gnome in the Twin Cities and establishments in other communities will be placing thank you notes on vehicles left overnight to thank customers for being responsible citizens.

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

From 2006-2015 for the Thanksgiving holiday:

There were 6,228 DWIs.

There were 43 total fatalities with 17 related to drunk driving.

From 2006-2015 for the Christmas holiday:

There were 3,834 DWIs.

There were 32 total fatalities with 11 related to drunk driving.

Prevent drunk driving; plan for a safe ride, designate a sober driver, use a cab/public transportation or stay at the location of the celebration.

Speak up; offer to be a designated driver or be available to pick up a loved one anytime, anywhere.

Buckle up — the best defense against a drunk driver.

Report drunk driving; call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Be prepared to provide location, license plate number and observed dangerous behavior.