With ongoing St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety is reminding drivers there will be extra law enforcement on the roads to crack down on drunk driving.

Extra DWI patrols will be on the roads tonight due to the historic risk St. Patrick’s Day has for drinking and driving. DPS officials are especially concerned this year as the holiday falls on a Monday, which often turns St. Patty’s day into a long weekend of celebrating.

DPS Office of Traffic Safety director Donna Berger says “be smart, keep safe, and plan ahead for a sober ride if you plan on drinking.”

Over the past five years more than 1,450 drivers were arrested for DWI on St. Patrick’s Day.

DPS offers these tips to prevent drunk driving:

• Plan for a sober ride
• Offer to be a designated driver
• Wear your seat belt
• Call 9-1-1 if you see anyone driving while impaired. Make sure you are able to provide a location, a license plate number, and have personally observed reckless driving behavior