Franklin County, Ky. (WKYT) - State police and local authorities across Kentucky are stepping up patrols looking for impaired drivers this Labor Day weekend.

Holiday weekends often see a spike in drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol. That's why officers across the state are increasing patrols to look for tell-tale signs of impaired driving. "A lot of times what we see too is people who leave a bar, and they're driving very closely to each other," Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy Russell Persons said, "Sometimes that sends up a red flag that somebody's trying to watch somebody else drive home and make sure they get home safely."

Persons urges the public to call police if they see signs of impaired driving like in the case in which WKYT rode along: excessive speed. A breathalyzer test didn't find any impairment, but Persons says he did find the driver operating with a suspended license, and a search of the truck found marijuana.

Officers never know what they'll find, but with an increased presence throughout the state this Labor Day weekend, the message is clear, don't expect to get away with a crime. "A lot of people think they may be able to take the back road to their home," Persons said, "but the truth of the matter is we usually know those routes, and we patrol those heavily."

So for the safety of everyone, if you're going to be drinking this weekend, take a cab, or use a designated driver. Otherwise, don't expect your weekend to end well.

Kentucky State Police reported more than 1500 crashes resulting in 13 deaths over the 2011 Labor Day holiday period. They say 59 of those crashes involved alcohol.