Mothers Against Drunk Driving® Hawaii kicks off the holiday season — one of the most dangerous times on the nation’s roadways — with its annual “Tie One On for Safety” campaign, according to a release.

MADD’s “Tie One On for Safety” campaign asks drivers to display a red ribbon on their vehicles as a reminder to plan ahead before celebrations begin.

MADD Hawaii, together with Par Hawaii and DTRIC Insurance, will host a kickoff event at noon on Thursday at Kakaako Gateway Park field along Ilalo Street between Cooke and Ohe streets across from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine.

The event will include speakers from federal, state and county agencies, as well as from Par Hawaii and DTRIC, and Kekai Seabury who will share his experience when his father was killed by an impaired driver in 2003.

All drivers statewide are reminded to plan ahead and designate a non-drinking driver for a safe ride home if festivities will include alcohol — not just during the holiday season, but all year-round.

Nearly 1/3 of all annual traffic deaths occur between Thanksgiving Eve and New Year’s Eve, according to the release. The day before Thanksgiving is called “Blackout Wednesday” when alcohol sales and the number of people heading out to be with family and friends spike.

Since 1980, national nonprofit MADD, has continued efforts to end impaired driving for good, and has helped reduce drunk driving deaths in the U.S. by nearly 40%.