Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day responsibly: Designate a sober driver, your lucky charm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations here, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD_ will be on alert for suspected impaired drivers. The community is reminded to celebrate responsibly by designating a sober driver, your lucky charm, for a safe and enjoyable celebration. Additional officers will be on patrol on March 17 looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration, but it’s important to celebrate responsibly,” said SLTPD Sgt. Justin Brock. “Designating a sober driver before the festivities begin can save lives. It’s a simple way to make sure everyone traveling on our roads gets home safely.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest times on the nation’s roads. More than 13,384 preventable deaths throughout 2021 involved drunk driving, representing 31 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States that year. Over the 2021 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, specifically, 47 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in the U.S.

Sgt. Brock wants to warn the community that alcohol is not the only substance that can cause impairment. Marijuana, prescription medications, or over-the-counter drugs may also impair. Using any substance that significantly alters one’s perception while driving a motor vehicle meets the requirements for DUI.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.