Every year the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the deadliest times on Minnesota roads. During 2005-2007, 23 motorists were killed and 63 were injured during the holiday travel period (Wednesday-Sunday), according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS). Traffic safety officials encourage motorists to buckle up, drive at safe speeds and pay attention behind the wheel.

Metro motorists will face extra DWI (driving while intoxicated) patrols during the holiday, and enhanced enforcement is also planned in other regions of the state. Of the 23 Thanksgiving-period deaths, over half of the victims — 13 — were killed in alcohol related crashes. During 2005-2007, 2,143 motorists were arrested for DWI.

“The night before Thanksgiving is one of the most popular nights of the year for holiday celebrating, and as a result, impaired driving and DWI arrests,” says Col. Mark Dunaski, chief of the State Patrol, in the release. “Many friends return from school and reunite, but unfortunately these friends aren’t stopping each other from getting behind the wheel impaired.”

Follow this traffic safety recipe to ensure safe Thanksgiving travel:

* Buckle up before and after you gobble up.

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

* Pay attention. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods.

* If you plan on drinking, plan for a safe and sober ride home.

For up-to-the-minute reports on road conditions, weather advisories and other traffic information visit www.511mn.org or dial 511.