PIERRE - After suffering through one of the deadliest Thanksgiving holidays ever on South Dakota roads last year, South Dakota Highay Patrol officials are pressing a single message to drivers and passengers this season: Buckle up.

"Last year, in terms of highway crashes, South Dakota ha its deadliest Thanksgiving on record," said Col. Dan Mosteller of the Highway Patrol. "The troopers will be out in force this holiday as a visible reminder to wear your seatbelt."

In 2007, seven people died on South Dakota roads over the Thanksgiving travel weekend. Six of those people killed weren't wearing seat belts.

"We can't fight this battle alone. We need individuals to take personal responsibility and buckle up. Seatbelts are the best tool you have to keep you and your family safe on the roads," Col. Mosteller said in a news release.

Troopers plan to saturate highly traveled roads throughout the state this Thanksgiving throughout the state.

Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that people who wear seat belts are 45 percent to 60 percent more likely to survive a crash than someone who isn't wearing a seatbelt.