The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and its safety partners are reminding motorists of the dangers of impaired driving in advance of St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

Local and state law enforcement officials are actively participating in enforcement activities geared at deterring impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel in connection with the St. Patrick's Day impaired driving campaign that began on Friday, March 8, 2024, and extends through the holiday on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

“We continue to see lives senselessly lost on our roadways because of poor decision making from individuals who are impaired by drugs or alcohol," said Maggie Nunley, a Regional Program Administrator with the Pennsylvania DUI Association. “The only way we can reverse this trend is by everyone taking responsibility to keep each other safe. If you plan to consume drugs of any kind or alcohol, plan ahead and make arrangements for a sober ride home or utilize ride-sharing services or public transportation. You can do the same for your friends, family members, and other loved ones to prevent them from making a choice that could cost them their life or someone else's."

From St. Patrick's Day through 6:00 AM on March 18, 2023, there were 56 alcohol-related crashes statewide, resulting in two fatalities, and 32 injuries, according to preliminary PennDOT data. During the same time period, there were nine drug-related crashes statewide, resulting in two fatalities and eight injuries.

Alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs can slow a driver's coordination, judgment, and reaction times, increasing their chance of being involved in a crash. Cocaine and methamphetamine can make drivers more aggressive and reckless.

If someone uses two or more drugs at the same time, including alcohol, the impairing effects of each drug can become amplified.

“Alcohol and illegal drugs are not the only substances that can impair someone's ability to operate a vehicle," said Austin Soboleski, a Traffic Safety Specialist with the Highway Safety Network. “Over-the-counter medications and some prescriptions can cause extreme drowsiness and dizziness. It is crucial that you read and follow all label warnings before driving and check with your doctor if you have questions."

Join the conversation to stop impaired driving on social media by using the hashtags #BeSafePA, #StPatricksDay, #DesignatedDriver, and #LuckOfTheIrish.

For more information, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.PennDOT.pa.gov/District1.

Follow local PennDOT news on X and like the department on Facebook.

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