COEUR d'ALENE - It's the season to be jolly.

But when driving enters a picture full of holiday cheer and alcohol, the results can be deadly.

With that in mind, Coeur d'Alene Police Department Sgt. Christie Wood said law enforcement agencies throughout the county will be performing emphasis patrols targeting potentially impaired drivers from Thursday through Jan. 4.

"People celebrate with alcohol so we certainly do see an increase in impaired driving," Wood said. "We do these emphasis patrols every year and we hope the visibility of officers on the roadway serves as a reminder to people."

A press release from the Coeur d'Alene Police Department encourages county residents to report possible drunk drivers: "Typical behaviors of impaired drivers are problems maintaining proper lane position, speed and braking problems, vigilance and judgment problems."

As a result of last year's emphasis patrols, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office made 24 DUI arrests and Lt. Stu Miller said the hope is for those numbers to be reduced this year.

"Ultimately, zero impaired drivers is what we would like," Miller said. "We participate in highly publicized traffic mobilizations since there are a number of holiday parties and gatherings where alcohol is more freely consumed. Our intentions are to inform the public to realize that there are more law enforcement out on the streets so they in turn make the appropriate decision and not become an impaired driver."

The Idaho State Police made 17 DUI arrests during last year's holiday season and spokesperson Teresa Baker echoed Miller's statements. She added that the agency encourages those partaking in holiday spirits to plan ahead and either have a designated driver, get a taxi, or remain at the location where they are drinking for the night.

Coeur d'Alene officers arrested 18 motorists during the same period.

Wood said she hopes the emphasis patrols serve as a reminder of the potential tragedies that can occur when someone drinks and drives.

"We are hoping this emphasis does get some good results," Wood said. "We will be out there and if there are less DUIs that means we are effective because people are heeding our advice and taking our warnings."