HUNTINGTON — Motorists are encouraged to drive safely while traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday.

As people travel to visit family and friends throughout the week, more people on the roads and people driving after drinking cause increased risks.

Safety organizations throughout the state and the Tri-State region are encouraging people to practice safe driving policies, such as wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit and refraining from driving after drinking or consuming other items that may impair sight or judgment.

“As Thanksgiving approaches and travel ramps up, let’s keep safety front and center on our roads,” said Gov. Jim Justice in a statement from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “Be mindful of fellow travelers, buckle up, and soak in the stunning West Virginia scenery as you travel to be with loved ones. Above all, let’s pledge not to drive under the influence. Your journey matters, so look out for each other, drive smart and let’s ensure all our families get to enjoy the season together!”

Last week, the United States Senate passed a resolution encouraging people to drive safely over the next few days. It also designated the Sunday after Thanksgiving as Drive Safer Sunday.

According to a news release from Sen. Shelley Moore Capito’s office, the resolution encourages schools, colleges, teachers and administrators to launch campus-wide educational campaigns to urge students to focus on safe driving; trucking firms to alert employees to focus on safe driving the Sunday after Thanksgiving and publicize its importance on the Citizens Band Radio Service and at truck stops; clergy to remind congregations to travel safely when attending services; law enforcement to remind drivers and passengers to drive safely; and Americans wear seat belts and educate themselves about highway safety.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 190 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes between 6 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving and 5:59 a.m. the Monday after in 2021. From 2017-2021, the data reports, 2,456 people died in motor vehicle accidents over the Thanksgiving break from Wednesday to Monday, with 832 people reported as dying as a result of alcohol-impaired vehicle accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also reports fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes increased from 11,718 to 13,384 fatalities, or by 14% from 2020 to 2021 and increased from 10,196 to 13,384 fatalities, or 31%, from 2019 to 2021.

In Ohio, law enforcement are hoping to decrease the number of fatal crashes that occur over the holiday.

According to a release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, troopers will be “highly visible and cracking down” on impaired drivers and those failing to wear a safety belt from Wednesday, Nov. 22, at midnight through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26.

“We hope everyone has a safe Thanksgiving,” Col. Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent, said in the release. “When you designate a sober driver, put your phone down and properly use safety belts, you are helping save lives.”

Ohio motorists are encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists, the release states.