It’s the holiday travel period, and that means there is an increased effort to urge motorists to drive sober.

The Virginia State Police are urging everyone to #Drive2SaveLives and celebrate safely so everyone will #ArriveAlive.

It’s a lofty goal, and indeed, it has already been a deadly month on Virginia’s highways. In about the first two weeks of December, 23 people died on the roadways in Virginia, including 15 drivers, two passengers, three pedestrians, two motorcyclists and one bicyclist.

Despite a grim start to the month, traffic fatalities are down in Virginia slightly for the entire year. It’s hoped that momentum can keep going, and lives can be saved these last two weeks of the year.

“The holidays are a time to celebrate, but if the celebration involves alcohol, you need to do it responsibly — hand over the keys, call for a ride or simply stay where you are,” Col. Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police superintendent, stated in a recent press release. “When you choose to drive drunk, you not only put your own life at risk, you risk the lives of others on the road with you. Make the smart, sober choice and help Virginia move toward zero roadway deaths.”

The Virginia State Police and other law enforcement agencies won’t hesitate to pull you over if you are driving drunk, so just don’t risk it.

With additional troopers and other law enforcement working on Virginia’s highways this holiday season, Virginia State Police is also reminding drivers to comply with Virginia’s “Move Over” law, according to the press release. It’s a life-saving law intended to protect public safety responders and others who have a responsibility to work the roads.

Drivers are required to change to another travel lane or, when unable to, to cautiously pass emergency personnel stopped on the side of the road. The law also includes highway maintenance vehicles and tow trucks equipped with flashing amber lights.