Dutchess County will join other Hudson Valley law enforcement agencies in cracking down on drinking and driving this St. Patrick's Day weekend. The special enforcement effort will commence on Friday and run through Monday, March 18th.

According to a press release from County Executive Marcus Molinaro, the New York State Police, Dutchess County Sheriff's Office as well as other municipal agencies will be collaborating and on the lookout drunk drivers in an attempt to reduce alcohol-related injuries and deaths.

St. Patrick's Day is one of the most popular 'drinking' holidays, but is a surprising fourth behind New Year's Eve, Christmas Day and the Fourth of July according to the US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

County Executive Molinaro had this to say, 'While St. Patrick’s Day is traditionally a day to celebrate Irish heritage, it’s not an excuse for motorists to endanger their lives and the lives of others with whom they share the road. If you plan to include alcohol in your celebration this weekend, please also plan to find a safe way home. Impaired driving will not be tolerated, and we thank our local law enforcement agencies and officers for the diligence in enforcing our laws and keeping local roads safe, not only during this holiday period but throughout the year.'

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