DUI Patrols Increase For St. Patrick's Day In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — As Long Beach gears up for St. Patrick's Day festivities, police said they will be upping patrols on Sunday for DUI enforcement.

Additional Long Beach Police Department officers will be on patrol all day on March 17.

“St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration, but it’s important to celebrate responsibly,” Lieutenant Jose Flores said. “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, St. Patrick's Day is one of the
deadliest times on roads nationwide. Over the 2021 St. Patrick's Day holiday period, 47 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in the U.S.

Impaired driving doesn't just include alcohol, some prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, other illegal drugs and marijuana can also land someone a DUI.

First-time DUI charges can cost an average of $13,500 in fines and drivers could get their licenses suspended if convicted.