DWI Checks Planned For St. Patrick's Weekend

Story by Edward Robinson.

If you drink and drive this St. Patrick's Day weekend, there's a good chance you'll be trading that green sweater in for an orange prison jumpsuit.

Nassau County and state officials have announced they'll be cracking down on DWI beginning Friday.

“We will be targeting drunk drivers and looking to prevent the kind of senseless alcohol-related accidents that, unfortunately, often occur during a holiday weekend," said County Executive Ed Mangano.

The county will be beefing up police patrols and target areas of concern throughout the weekend.

The effort is part of the county's "STOP DWI" initiative which is funded by fines collected from drunk drivers.

Mangano and Nassau Police Commissioner Thomas Dale also issued some reminders on keeping the roads safe this weekend:

- If you plan to drink, choose a designated driver before going out.
- Take mass transit, a cab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
- Spend the night where the activity is being held.
- Always buckle up – it’s your best defense against a drunk driver.
- State Police will also be out in full force this weekend as they will also increase patrols, set up sobriety checkpoints ans crack down on underage drinking.

Last year during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend enforcement effort, state troopers made 503 arrests for DWI, and issued a total of 11,663 tickets, officials said.

"Be smart, a taxi is a much better choice than the backseat of a patrol car,” Mangano said.