Police Cracking Down On St. Patrick’s Day Drunk Driving

(KNSI) – The Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety is coordinating a statewide campaign to crack down on drunk driving on St. Patrick’s Day.

Authorities say with the holiday falling on a Friday this year, it is imperative that you plan ahead to figure out a safe way home if you are drinking. OTS says St. Patrick’s Day presents risks no matter when it falls on the weekly calendar. From 2015 to 2022, law enforcement made over 1,400 DWI arrests. For those who avoided being pulled over, they contributed to 169 alcohol-related crashes on state roadways.

OTS says even if you are staying away from the revelry and parties, there are things you can do to keep everyone safe. It recommends you buckle up as a way to protect yourself if you are hit by a drunk driver.

Officials say do not hesitate to report drunk driving. When you call 911, you will need to provide your location, what you saw that makes you believe the driver is drunk, and a license plate number if you can get it.

DWI violations come with significant legal costs, likely running into the thousands of dollars in court fines and the potential loss of your license for a year. Repeat offenders, or if you are excessively drunk when pulled over for the first time, are required to use an in-car breathalyzer known as an ignition interlock device to start their vehicle.

OTS says that even if a alcohol-related crash does not kill anyone involved, it often leads to life-changing injuries that result in chronic pain and mounting medical bills.

___