St. Patrick's Day has become one of the nation's favorite holidays to celebrate and party. Unfortunately, too many people are taking to the roads after drinking, making the occasion one of the most dangerous holidays.  

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 252 people lost their lives in drunk driving-related crashes during the St. Patrick's Day holiday period from 2011-2015.  More than a fourth of them were killed in drunk driving crashes that occurred in the early morning, post-party hours (midnight to 5:59 a.m.).

Bakersfield Police Department and the California Office of Traffic Safety are teaming up to reach all drivers with an important life-saving message and warning: Don't Drive Impaired by Drugs or Alcohol.

The Bakersfield Police Department will be deploying additional officers on special DUI Saturation Patrols, specifically to stop and arrest drivers showing signs of alcohol or drug impairment. In addition to this St Patrick's Day enforcement effort, the sheriff, police, and the CHP will be on heightened alert, ready to stop and arrest any impaired drivers throughout the long weekend.