The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration is warning all motorists traveling during the Labor Day holiday to ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’.

Through September 5, advertisements will appear nationwide and law enforcement agencies across the country will be on patrol to protect the public from impaired drivers.

“Drunk driving is against the law and puts lives at risk,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We are heading into a busy travel weekend, and reminding travelers to drive sober, or face the consequences of breaking the law.”

According to new data released by NHTSA this week, the nation lost 35,092 people in traffic crashes in 2015, ending a five-decade trend of declining fatalities with a 7.2 per cent increase in deaths from 2014. The data showed a 3.2 per cent increase in drunk driving fatalities, resulting in 10,265 deaths in 2015, compared to 9,943, in 2014. The vast majority of drivers involved in these crashes were behind the wheel of a passenger car or SUV.

“Every day drunk drivers get behind the wheel when they know they shouldn’t,” said NHTSA Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind. “With all the modern conveniences available, there’s no excuse. Put the keys away and call a sober friend, hail a taxi, or take public transportation home.”