Law enforcement upping patrols on St. Patrick's Day

Press release

Law enforcement and the Montana Highway Patrol are encouraging Montanans to plan for a sober ride home before celebrating St. Patrick’s Day Friday.

“Montanans take St. Patrick’s Day seriously, and we’ll all take safety just as seriously,” Havre Police Capt. Ryan Pearson said. “Before you even start drinking or head out for a celebration, make and commit to a plan. Designate one of your friends or family members as a sober driver; arrange for transportation or coordinate with a friend or family member to give you a sober ride home. If you see your friends have been drinking, have their back and help them get home safely too. We’re in this together as a community.”

Celebrations and festivities at bars and restaurants are common for St. Patrick’s Day, and they may be more pronounced since the holiday falls on a Friday this year. Law enforcement partners across the state will be increasing patrols and making DUI arrests as part of the effort to help get all Montanans home safely.

Under the Vision Zero goal, Havre Police, Montana Highway Patrol and the Montana Department of Transportation are committed to reducing fatalities and serious injuries on Montana’s roadways during the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

Montana law states that if drivers have blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, they could be arrested and face a DUI charge and other serious consequences. This can include having their driver’s license revoked, being required to take mandatory classes, and receiving possible jail time and up to $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

Why is Montana law enforcement increasing patrols over St. Patrick’s Day? These are the sobering statistics:

• Montana has one of the highest fatality rates in the nation for the number of deaths caused by alcohol-impaired drivers per vehicle mile traveled;

• In Montana, 66 percent of all fatalities in 2020 involved an impaired driver, up from 58 percent in 2020.

“Please celebrate responsibly during St. Patrick’s Day. Have fun but don’t drive impaired,” Montana Highway Patrol Col. Steve Lavin said. “We’ll be increasing our patrols during St. Patrick’s Day weekend to make sure all Montanans get home safe.

“Do your part and plan ahead or call for a sober ride home if you’ve been drinking,” Lavin added. “Together, we can keep our community safe.”