The holiday season is one of celebration, but it frequently sees some of the year's highest rates of impaired driving. In response, the Georgia State Patrol has announced plans to increase DUI enforcement efforts in Athens and throughout the state. The move comes as part of the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" initiative, which aims to reduce the overall frequency of drunk driving across the United States.

Officers with the Georgia State Patrol will be increasing patrols and performing frequent road checks until the New Year, when reports of impaired driving typically taper off. Most of the efforts will be concentrated on peak hours when DUI arrests are most common.

Officers with the Georgia State Patrol will be increasing patrols and performing frequent road checks until the New Year, when reports of impaired driving typically taper off. Most of the efforts will be concentrated on peak hours when DUI arrests are most common.

In all states, driving with a blood alcohol concentration greater than 0.08 percent is illegal. Information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that almost one third of fatalities related to motor vehicle accidents involve inebriated drivers. On average, this results in one death every 48 minutes.

Drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 are more likely to die as a result of impaired driving than any other group.

Officers with the Georgia State Patrol are urging drivers to plan ahead for the holidays and ensure that a sober driver is available before they begin consuming alcohol.

Police recommend that individuals hosting parties arrange for taxi cabs, designated drivers or accommodations for their guests to avoid the risks associated with drunk driving. Police also wish to inform drivers that DUI convictions typically carry harsh penalties, such as loss of driver's licenses, hefty fines and jail time.

Source: Georgia State Police: "GSP Participates in Impaired Driving Crackdown for the Holidays," Dec. 19, 2011