Rhode Island Police Increasing DUI Patrols For St. Patrick's Day

RHODE ISLAND — Police departments across Rhode Island will increase patrols targeting impaired driving and seat belt use around St. Patrick's Day, the Rhode Island Police Chief's Association said Wednesday.

St. Patrick's Day is a popular occasion for drinking, which often leads to more drunk drivers on the road. Officers from several Rhode Island police departments were on the roads on Saturday for the St. Patrick's Day parade in Newport, looking out for impaired and reckless drivers.

The Rhode Island DUI Task Force, made up of officers in cities and towns across the state, is also conducting targeted impaired driving patrols through Sunday.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), during the 2016-2020 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period — 6 p.m. on March 16 to 5:59 a.m. on March 18 — 287 people across the U.S. died in drunken driving crashes. In 2020 alone, 37 people were killed in drunken driving crashes over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period.

Law enforcement agencies across the state are also participating in Rhode Island’s St. Patrick’s "Day Click it or Ticket" mobilization, coordinated by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s Office on Highway Safety, which runs through March 19.

As part of the campaign, participating police departments step up their enforcement of seat belt use and work to educate drivers on the importance of seat belts to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.

Reminders for Safe Driving

• Never drive if you have been drinking or are under the influence of drugs.
• Make a plan ahead of time for a sober ride home. Designate a sober driver, or plan to use public transportation or a ride share service.
• Designated drivers should take their role seriously. Refrain from any alcoholic beverages or other drugs.
• Watch out for your family and friends. If someone you know is impaired and planning to drive, take their keys and make arrangements to get them home safely.
• Never get into a vehicle if the driver is impaired.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, safely pull over and call 911.
• Don't drive distracted. Before driving, turn your phone off and put it out of reach. If you have to make a call or send a text, pull over.
• Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink. Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly; lack of attention to surroundings could put pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.

Some agencies in Rhode Island offer a "safe rides" program for St. Patrick's Day. Residents can contact their local police department to see if they offer a similar program.