By Gina Yarbrough
Carlsbad, CA–The Carlsbad Police Department is gearing up to ensure the safety of residents and visitors during the St. Patrick’s Day celebration this weekend.
With celebrations often involving alcohol, the department is reminding everyone to designate a sober driver to ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration.
Additional officers will be on patrol through March 17, specifically looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The goal is to prevent accidents and tragedies on the road during this holiday period, the Carlsbad Police Department stated in a news release.
“St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration, but it’s important to celebrate responsibly,” he said. “Planning to get home before the festivities begin, either through ridesharing or identifying a sober driver, can save lives. It’s a simple way to make sure everyone traveling on our roads gets to their destination safely, ” Lieutenant Alonso DeVelasco said.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest times on the nation’s roads. In 2021, more than 13,000 preventable deaths involved drunk driving, accounting for 31% of all traffic fatalities in the United States that year. Specifically during the 2021 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, 47 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in the U.S.
The Carlsbad Police Department also wants to remind the community that alcohol is not the only substance that can impair driving. Marijuana, prescription medications, and over-the-counter drugs can also impair judgment and reaction time. They advise the public to research and understand how certain drugs may affect their ability to drive safely.
Funding for the increased patrols and awareness program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The grant aims to reduce impaired driving and ultimately save lives on the road.