Full Notification

St. Patrick’s Day is one of America’s most widely celebrated holidays. Sadly, the night often ends with drunk drivers on the road, which pose a threat to other drivers, vehicle passengers, and pedestrians. In 2016 alone, 60 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period. Not only is this behavior deadly, it’s illegal. This year, if you’ll be drinking alcohol, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Tragically, March 17 has become a dangerous holiday on our nation’s roads.
 
“We encourage our community members to enjoy the St. Patrick’s holiday,” said Traffic Sergeant Scott Shoemaker, “However if they choose to drink, we want them to do so responsibly, and make a plan to get themselves home in a safe manner via a designated driver who is not drinking, or by using a ride-sharing option, or taxi.”
 
Drunk-driving death rates are staggering: In 2016, there were 10,497 people killed in drunk-driving crashes. Another way to look at it? An average of 1 person was killed every 50 minutes in a drunk-driving crash in the United States that year. Too many people are not getting the message. Drunk driving is a deadly and illegal behavior. It is inexcusable, and it is unacceptable.
 
“We are asking our community members if they see a person suspected of driving under the influence, to report it,” said Sgt. Shoemaker. “Call 9-1-1, and provide the vehicle’s description, including the license plate number, and the vehicle’s last seen direction of travel.  We will not ask you to follow the suspected drunk driver, and compromise your own personal safety,” he said.
 
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station recommends the following safe alternatives to drinking and driving:
 
• First: Always remember to plan ahead. You know whether you’ll attend a party. If you plan to drink, plan for a sober driver to take you home. Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously—your friends could be relying on you.

• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve only had one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation to get home safely.

• Download NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app, available on Google Play for Android devices: (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nhtsa.SaferRide&hl=en), and Apple’s iTunes Store for iOS devices: (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/saferride/id950774008?mt=8). SaferRide allows users to call a taxi or a predetermined friend, and identifies the user’s location so he or she can be picked up.

• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 9-1-1

• Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get them home safely.

We encourage everybody to enjoy the holiday and weekend but do it responsibly and safely! We'll be doing our part this weekend by patrolling and taking calls for service. 

Happy St. Patricks Day! 

Deputy Joshua Stamsek
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station 
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Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station polices the City of Santa Clarita and the unincorporated communities and a portion of the Angeles National Forest, as well as Bouquet Canyon, Canyon Country, Castaic, Gorman, Hasley Canyon, Newhall, Neenach, Sand Canyon, Santa Clarita, Saugus, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Sleepy Valley, Southern Oaks, Stevenson Ranch, Sunset Point, Tesoro del Valle, Valencia, Val Verde, West Hills and West Ranch.
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Alex Villanueva, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department