DENVER (KDVR) — As Denver residents and fans of Cinco de Mayo prepare for the celebration, the Denver Police Department is encouraging them to do so in a safe manner.

Cinco de Mayo, literally translated means May 5.  In Denver Cinco de Mayo means a much anticipated and celebrated Mexican holiday honoring a famous battle in 1862 against the French army.

The DPD says they want to help people celebrate, with safety in mind.

“Southwest Denver has always been an area where Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in a large part,” said DPD Commander Mark Fleecs.

In addition to the food, music, and culture, a large part of the celebration is cruising up and down Federal Boulevard which the DPD welcomes.

Street racing, however, is unwelcome and illegal and has been an issue with the Denver Police Department.

“Historically and in the past, especially last year, we saw a lot of that up and down Federal Boulevard,” said Fleecs.

Starting May 1 the DPD will be imposing lane restrictions on Federal Boulevard. From 6th Avenue to West Evans Avenue, traffic will be reduced on Federal Boulevard to one lane each direction.  Leaving the other lane open and dedicated to emergency vehicles only.

But traffic is just like water, once you restrict it, it will just find another way to go around, like in a nearby neighborhood just off of Federal Boulevard.

Residents say it’s not just on Cinco de Mayo weekend when the traffic is heavy, it is pretty much every Sunday in the summer.

DPD says they know traffic in neighborhoods will increase, and they will try to deal with that as well.

Drivers participating in cruises are advised that any violations that pose a safety risk, including impaired driving, will be strictly enforced.

To go along with this, DPD said it will be enforcing its juvenile curfew, which means anyone under the age of 18 needs to be indoors by midnight on Friday and Saturday, 11 p.m. on other days.