Police in New York and Pennsylvania on the look out for alcohol-related violations

St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the Irish and Irish-American heritage but it’s also one of the most dangerous times of year for alcohol-related accidents.

Nationally, 59 percent of all traffic fatalities that occurred during St. Patrick’s Day to early the next morning involved drivers who had at least some amount of alcohol in their system, according to a 2005 study cited by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Nearly 9 out of 10 of those accident involved a driver who had a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study adds that in 2010, more than two-thirds of the 10,228 drunk driving deaths (70 percent) involved drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .15 or higher.

For those who do intend to imbibe this holiday season, be aware that St. Patrick’s Day evening is prime time for police roadblocks and checkpoints as officers look for drunken drivers.  Police and officials are already warning revelers to be careful this holiday:

  • In Erie County, near Buffalo, New York,  the Sheriff’s Department will step up patrols dedicated solely to Driving While Intoxicated enforcement, according to WIVB-TV 4. They also announced a discounted taxi program during certain periods around the holiday.
  • In Albany, NY, police intend to crack down on open containers during the St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 14.
  • In Pittsburgh, PA, which boasts the second largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the nation, no alcohol will be permitted in certain areas.

The result of a drunken-driving arrest can be costly. An arrest can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees, as well as a significant hike in your auto insurance premium. Penalties and fines for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) vary by state.

A DUI conviction most likely will affect your standing with your insurance company and may catapult you into the higher-risk driver category, according to Progressive. Some insurance companies may opt to deny you insurance coverage if you’re deemed as having a risky history. If they do insure you, expect your premiums to jump.

So what can you do if you plan to revel this holiday? A few tips.

  • Take a taxi or public transportation: Seems like a no brainer but it can save you a lot of money in the long run. Leave your car at home, program the number of a taxi service (or ride sharing program) into your phone. If you’re in an area that has bus, subway or train service, take advantage of it.
  • Get a friend to drive: Either get a friend to drive you or get someone sober to pick you up later that day or evening.
  • Hire a service: There are other services out there that can help you. You can even hire a designated driving service in some communities. BeMyDD.com and other services located on the Web can connect you with a personal driver (who charges an hourly rate) or come to you at the end of the evening to pick you up and drive your car home.

So what are your plans this St. Patrick's Day? Share them in the comment field below.