As Yukoners prepare for their holiday celebrations this year, RCMP across the territory are

gearing up to try to put a stop to impaired driving.

As of last Friday, officers are putting up check stops to try to encourage people to find a safe ride home.

"With all the parties and other social events going on at this time of year, it's a time where we take a special interest in making sure people get home safe,” Cpl. Shawn Pollard, head of the Yukon's traffic division, said in an interview.

Pollard was tight-lipped as to when or where the holiday checkpoints will be happening, only saying they are placed at random.

Every detachment in the territory as well as auxiliary members get involved, Pollard said.

Once again, the Whitehorse chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will be involved in helping the police.

This year, the chapter has created gift bags worth about $150 for drivers doing their part to keep the roads safe.

"The reward bags are for when officers see someone who is acting as a designated driver, that one person at a party who decides not to drink so they can get their friends home,” said chapter president Daniela Martinson.

The bags contain gift cards and other small products donated by local businesses, Martinson said.

Representatives from MADD will also be at the check stops.

"We want people to see us and realize this is a senseless crime that is 100 per cent preventable,” Martinson said.

"There's more to it than just breaking the law; you can take a person's life.”