The New York State Thruway has teamed up with the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to get the message out to motorists in Hudson Valley about the dangers of driving drunk.

Travelers were given red ribbons to tie onto their cars at tolls to serve as a pledge and visual reminder to be sober starting their engines. Approximately 50,000 ribbons will be handed out by toll booth collectors through the month of January.

In New York State, 587 alcohol related accidents were reported in 2004 and on the thruway, 44 deaths were caused by drinking and driving.