December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, and the Virginia State Police say they're cracking down on drivers under the influence this holiday season.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol and drug-related motor-vehicle crashes result in thousands of deaths across the United States each year.

Starting this past weekend, the Virginia State Police plan to lower that number. Trooper Timothy Simmons says if you're under the influence of drugs or alcohol, there's no way you're passing a sobriety test.

"Usually we notice people committing traffic offenses, traffic violations, swerving, crossing the yellow line, driving under the posted speed limit, driving without their headlights on," says Simmons.

He says any of these behaviors can instantly end any hopes of a happy holiday, and there are things you should know when celebrating.

Simmons says, "It depends on how much food intake you have that day, you're body weight, of course, you're experience in consuming alcohol."

Simmons says your blood alcohol content influences your every move, but the limit is different depending on your age. If you're over the age of 21, the limit is .08. However, if you're underage, the limit is only .02.

"If you are obviously underage and you're illegally consuming alcohol, basically one beer, and you're D.U.I.," says Simmons.

Drivers under the influence of drugs exhibit similar behaviors to those who have been drinking alcohol and get caught more often then people might think.

"It is very frequent. Yes it is," says Simmons. "It's not as frequent as just drunk drivers, just alcohol only, but occasionally we do have people that have the combination of both alcohol and narcotics."

Regardless of the offense, the police are putting their foot down.

Simmons says, "The police are out there doing checkpoints and looking for you, and if you're in the violation of the law, then we will arrest you."

Simmons says if you choose to drink, either make sure you have a designated driver or wait until you sober up before getting behind the wheel of your car. Throughout the month, police around the Valley will set up sobriety check-points in order to save lives.