Drive Safely This St. Patrick's Day, CHP Warns

CALIFORNIA — No amount of luck will keep an intoxicated driver safe on St. Patrick's Day Tuesday, the California Highway Patrol is reminding the public.

Of course, a traditional St. Patrick's Day celebration is no longer possible in California this year, thanks to the governor's order Sunday to shut down bars to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Still, if alcohol factors into anyone's plans Tuesday, the CHP is asking the public to designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service or taxi to return home.

“St. Patrick’s Day celebrations can often result in a highway tragedy,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said in a statement. “Plan ahead and do not let the use of alcohol or drugs mixed with driving result in a collision, jail time, injuries, or death.”

March 17 is one of the deadliest U.S. holidays for alcohol-related crashes, with 7 people killed and 116 injured in DUI collisions on that day last year, according to the CHP.