This St. Patrick's Day, don’t press your luck and drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department will have deputies conduct increased impaired driving patrols in their jurisdictions on Wednesday, March 17 starting at 6:00 p.m. and lasting through 6:00 a.m. the following day. 

People who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including marijuana and prescription drugs, put everyone's lives in danger. 

During the St. Patrick's Day 2020 enforcement period, seven people were arrested and booked into San Diego County jails on suspicion of impaired driving.  One of those arrests was made by the Sheriff's Department.  So far in 2021, 1,195 people have been arrested for impaired driving by law enforcement agencies in the county.  Deputies have made 145 of those arrests.  

"Don't drink and drive on St. Patrick's Day or any other day," said Sheriff Bill Gore.  "Stay at home or find a sober driver to take you home.  BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING."

Watch our public safety message on the high price of drinking and driving.  Click on the above video or follow the Sheriff's Department on VIMEO: https://vimeo.com/503682269.

Funding for the St. Patrick's Day impaired driving enforcement program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).