St. Patrick's Day Enforcement Planned in Temecula, Southwest Riverside County

TEMECULA, CA — The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office’s Southwest Station reminds everyone that the best way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day is to plan ahead for a safe, sober way to get home.

Whether you're joining your friends for a pint or heading out for a full St. Patrick's Day dinner, drinking and driving can be deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,355 people were killed in alcohol-impaired traffic crashes in California in 2023. The Southwest Station Deputy Nicholas Gruwell shared how deputies will be out and about making sure the roads are safe.

“We want St. Patrick’s Day to be safe and memorable for everyone,” Gruwell said. “Before you raise a glass, make sure you’ve planned for a safe ride home, whether that’s a designated sober driver, rideshare, taxi, or public transportation.”

Plan for a Safe Celebration

Before heading out for St. Patrick’s Day festivities, follow these tips to stay safe:

• Designate a Sober Driver: Choose someone ahead of time who will stay alcohol-free and make sure everyone gets home safely.
• Use Ridesharing Services, Taxis or Public Transportation: Rideshare apps and transit options are safe alternatives to driving if you’ve been drinking.
• Host Responsibly: If you’re hosting, offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverage options and make sure your guests have safe, sober rides home.
• Look Out for Others: Don’t let friends or family members drive impaired. Take their keys and help arrange a safe ride.
• Never Drive Impaired or Distracted: It’s not worth the risk – your life and others’ lives depend on it!

"Impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, cannabis products, and other drugs may also cause impairment," Gruwell said. "If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive."

If you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, call 9-1-1.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.