Police: Avoid Drunk Driving On St. Patrick's Day

Drunk driving checkpoints and roving patrols are two methods the Orange County Sheriff's Department is using to curb unsafe driving this St. Patrick's Day weekend.

The department does this hoping to "significantly reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage," according to a statement.

weekend is a popular time for drinking and police are hoping drinkers pick a sober driver to escort them through this weekend's festivities.

Last St. Patrick's Day, three were killed and 96 injured across the state in drunk driving accidents, according to the sheriff's department.

More police will be on the roads across Orange County as part of the "Avoid the 38" campaign, which is one of a series of sobriety checkpoints paid for through state and federal grants.

Here are some tips police provided to avoid drunk driving:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin and designate a sober driver.
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to report them. Call 911!
• And remember, if you know people who are about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

For more information, contact the Sheriff’s Department’s Public Affairs Office at (714) 647-7042.