This St. Patrick’s Day, the City of Carlsbad Police Department will be on alert for suspected impaired drivers and would like to remind the community to celebrate the holiday responsibly.

Additional officers will be on patrol on March 17, from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next day, looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. 

“Have a game plan before you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day,” recommends Traffic Officer Kyle Clement. “Designate a sober driver, use rideshare services, or make other plans to get safely home.”

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, in the past years on St. Patrick’s Day, nearly half of all traffic deaths throughout the country involved a drunk driver.

The Carlsbad Police Department wants to warn the community that alcohol is not the only substance that can cause impairment. Cannabis, prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and illegal drugs can all lead to a DUI.

If you see a suspected drunk driver on the road, please call 911.

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

For more information
Officer Kyle Clement, 760-710-9118 or kyle.clement@carlsbadca.gov 

Police media contact
Alonso DeVelasco, Traffic Lieutenant, 442-339-5578/760-607-9629 or alonso.develasco@carlsbadca.gov