Crime & Safety

Beaumont Area CHP Taking Part in 'Drive Sober, Or Get Pulled Over' Anti-DUI Campaign for St. Paddy's Day

Headed out to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a few green drinks? Make sure to designate a sober driver, law enforcement warns.

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA - The California Highway Patrol and municipal law enforcement agencies throughout Riverside County will be cracking down Friday on motorists who drive under the influence during St. Patrick's Day.

"We want everyone to enjoy the festivities and have a good time, but to do so responsibly," CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. "Ensuring safety on California's roadways is everyone's responsibility. Remember to designate a sober driver before the party starts, or make arrangements for a taxi or ride- sharing service."

Farrow said that last year on St. Patrick's Day, three people were killed and nearly 60 injured in DUI collisions statewide. The CHP also arrested 145 people on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, he said.

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 252 people died throughout the country in DUI wrecks on St. Patrick Day holidays between 2011 and 2015.

CHP offices in Beaumont, Indio, Riverside and Temecula will join multiple local law enforcement agencies countywide Friday in the NHTSA's "Drive Sober, Or Get Pulled Over" anti-DUI campaign.

Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Corona and Riverside police departments, along with sheriff's stations in Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley and Palm Desert, plan to operate sobriety checkpoints and conduct saturation patrols to nab suspected DUI offenders.

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Law enforcement officials offered the following safety tips for partygoers and hosts:

  • designate a sober driver if you plan to imbibe at a St. Patrick's Day event or anywhere else
  • consider using a taxi, or other pay-to-go ride service, such as Lyft, Curb or Uber, instead of driving after drinking
  • don't let a friend leave a party under the influence, help arrange a ride home for the person

Officials noted that consuming any quantity of alcohol with prescription drugs can induce impairment, so the two shouldn't be mixed.

– City News Service / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone

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