The Nebraska chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving are calling attention to the Nebraska State Patrol's efforts to curb drunken driving.

The group held an award ceremony Thursday honoring more than two dozen troopers for their work keeping Nebraska roads safe.

Patrol Superintendent Col. Bryan Tuma says getting drunk and drugged drivers off the road is key to reducing the number of fatal crashes.

Through the first four months of 2009, troopers arrested 992 impaired drivers. That's up 23 percent over the same period last year.

In 2008, troopers arrested more than 2,500 impaired drivers. That's a 16 percent increase over 2007 arrests.