Costa Mesa police officers will be looking for drunk drivers on St. Patrick’s Day

COSTA MESA, Calif. – With the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations fast approaching, the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) will be on alert for suspected impaired drivers and reminds the community to celebrate responsibly by designating a sober driver – your lucky charm for a safe and enjoyable celebration.

Additional officers will be on patrol March 17 looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration, but it’s important to celebrate responsibly,” said Sgt. Jared Barnes. “Designating a sober driver before the festivities begin can save lives. It’s a simple way to make sure everyone traveling on our roads gets home safely.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest times on our nation’s roads. More than 13,384 preventable deaths throughout 2021 involved drunk driving, representing 31% of all traffic fatalities in the United States that year. Over the 2021 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, specifically, 47 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in the U.S.

CMPD wants to warn the community that alcohol is not the only substance that can cause impairment. Marijuana, prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may also impair. Do your research and understand how certain drugs may affect your driving ability.

Funding for this extra patrol is provided to CMPD by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.