As the holiday season gets under way, so does the holiday travel season. And that means drivers will be on the roads, heading to and from gatherinegs for Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season.

And while the season also brings heightened awareness to the dangers of highway travel, it’s advice we should heed year-round.

State Farm insurance recently released results of its annual distracted driving survey, with sobering findings.

According to the survey, despite public awareness efforts to combat distracted driving – such as texting while driving – the dangers continue to increase.

Consider these findings, or drivers 18-29:

• Accessing the internet while on a cell phone while driving increased from 29 percent in 2009 to 48 percent in 2012.

• Reading social media networks while driving increased from 21 percent in 2009 to 36 percent in 2012.

• Updating social networks while driving increased from 20 percent in 2009 to 30 percent in 2011.

Checking email while driving rose from 32 percent in 2009 to 43 percent in 2012.

For all drivers, the data showed:

• Smart phone ownership is on the rise, and people who report webbing while driving goes down with age.

• Accessing the internet while on a cell phone increased from 13 percent in 2009 to 21 percent in 2012.

• Reading social media networks while driving increased from 9 percent in 2009 to 15 percent in 2012.

• Updating social networks while driving increased from 9 percent in 2009 to 13 percent in 2012.

We all know that smartphones and cellphones are an integral part of our lives. But the best advice you can take – and give – this holiday season is to put the phone down while you’re driving.

No message is more important than protecting your life – or the safety of others on the road.