KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT)-- Hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans are expected to hit the road this holiday weekend. So, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, city and county are teaming up to make sure you get where you're going, safely.

"DUI is a preventable crime and we must do all we can to stop this senseless tragedy," said Julie Strike with MADD of Northeast Tennessee.

Before the holiday weekend even gets underway, MADD and other local law enforcement officials are cracking down on drunk drivers.

"At the end of August, we've had 664 deaths on our highways," said Steve Dillard with the Governor's Highway Safety Office. "That's 12 more than what we've had this time last year in 2009."

Out of those 644 deaths, Dillard said 134 were alcohol related.

Officials said the number of alcohol related fatalities during three-day weekends are usually higher.

"We need to make sure that people don't drink and drive and do the things they're supposed to be doing, wear their seat belts and obey the speed limit," said Captain Sanders with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

This weekend you can expect to see more patrol officers out on the streets and the side of the roads making sure you're buckled up, driving the speed limit and sober. That includes game day on Saturday when police will be patrolling heavily between 3 p.m. and 3 a.m.

"We know people have a tendency to get out and indulge in alcohol," Dillard said. "Sometimes they have too much and think they're ok until they get behind the wheel of that car."

Their message is simple.

"Booze it and lose it," Dillard said.