You drink and drive. You lose. It’s that simple.

That is the message the Ohio State Highway Patrol and state law enforcement agencies want you to hear this holiday season.

As families and friends come together all over Ohio to celebrate this holiday season, state troopers will be increasing patrols targeting impaired drivers in an effort to save lives by preventing alcohol-related crashes.

The Christmas and New Year holiday periods are also traditionally one of the busiest times of the year on Ohio roadways, and unfortunately impaired driving can tarnish an otherwise happy occasion.

Across the nation, and here in Ohio, December has been designated drunk and drugged driver awareness month.

Why is such an emphasis being placed on removing impaired drivers from the roads this December? To get the answer, one must only look back to one year ago.

Last December, 37 people were killed in Ohio alcohol-related traffic crashes, and 2,219 were injured.

As part of the State Patrol’s focus on impaired drivers this holiday season, motorists should expect to see troopers conducting saturation patrols and other enforcement activities around the state. As part of this effort, we will be joined by local and county law enforcement officers throughout the month.

Although alcohol-related fatalities have decreased in recent years, impaired drivers were responsible for over 15,000 deaths nationally last year.

Previous statewide and national campaigns, such as designated driver awareness programs, have contributed to the huge reduction in alcohol-related deaths over the last 10 years.

In 1988, 766 people lost their lives in Ohio alcohol-related crashes. That number had been cut in half as of last year with 374 alcohol-related deaths.

Penalties for first time offenders convicted of driving under the influence range from three-day to six-month jail terms, and fines from $250 to $1,000.

Motorists can report suspected drunk drivers by calling 1-800-GRAB-DUI or cellular *DUI.

In a symbolic nationwide observance to focus attention on the impaired driving issue, Patrol troopers will join with local law enforcement, business, government agencies and citizens throughout the country in keeping their vehicle headlights on as they drive during the day on Friday, December 17.

The observance, dubbed Lights On for Life, serves as a remembrance of persons killed and injured in alcohol-related crashes, and is also a reminder of law enforcement's watchful eye for drunk drivers.

Impaired drivers are always a problem, especially during the holidays when people are attending parties and celebrations, consuming alcoholic beverages and then attempting to drive home.

Lights on for Life sends a positive message to the community and provides a holiday reminder that law enforcement officers will be cracking down on those who choose to drink and drive and place innocent people's lives in jeopardy. The remembrance is sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a coalition of government, corporate and advocacy groups which comprise the National 3D Prevention Month Coalition.

The event is part of National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month, held in December and National Holiday Lifesaver Weekend (December 17-19).

While this is a time of the year when friends and family gather together in celebration, I want to urge all motorists to join the Highway Patrol during all of these important public safety events.

There are simple ways everyone can help make this a safe holiday season on Ohio roads. Take the initiative and special precautions by designating a driver before heading to holiday parties. Make the responsible choice to take the keys from a friend or relative who has had too much to drink. Support and participate in alcohol-free holiday events.

Above all, obey all traffic laws, wear your safety belt, and don’t drink and drive.

Holiday travel can also mean dangerous driving conditions brought on by the weather. Snow and ice covered roadways, limited visibility, and cold temperatures are all problems faced this time of the year around Ohio.

An excellent way to check travel conditions statewide is through the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s toll-free road and weather conditions hotline, 1-888-2-OH-ROAD (1-888-264-7623).

Also, remember to call the Patrol toll-free at 1-877-7-PATROL (1-877-772-8765) to report disabled vehicles.

We all share the responsibility of keeping the roadways in Ohio among the safest to travel in the nation. As a member of the motoring public, you are a great resource for law enforcement in the battle against impaired drivers.