Don't press your luck this St. Patrick's Day by drinking and getting behind the wheel. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department will be out in full force looking for drunk drivers.
Watch for increased DUI patrols by Sheriff's Deputies across the county beginning on Monday, March 17th at 7:00 p.m. and lasting through 3:00 a.m. the following day.
For many, St. Patrick's Day has become synonymous with drinking. That has made the holiday extremely dangerous because of drunk drivers out on the road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 53 minutes in the United States in 2011.
"When you celebrate St. Patrick's Day, be responsible," said Sheriff Bill Gore. "If you drink, designate a sober driver or call a taxi to take you home. Remember: BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING!"
Here are some sober ride options for St. Patrick's Day:
• Be My Designated Driver: http://www.bemydd.com/
• MTS (Bus and Trolley): http://www.sdmts.com/
• NCTS (Bus and Coaster/Sprinter): http://www.gonctd.com/
Driving Under The Influence, It's Just Not Worth
It. Watch our public safety message by following the Sheriff's Department on YouTube: http://goo.gl/PO1xdM.
Funding for the St. Patrick's Day DUI patrols is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
