Don’t drive drunk on St. Patrick’s Day

The coronavirus pandemic might affect how St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated this year — but in addition to social distancing and mask-wearing, not driving impaired should also be on the celebration checklist.

Those planning to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day today should have a plan to get home safely.

Make arrangements for a sober driver or driving service to get home safely.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly a third of vehicle-related fatalities were related to drunken driving. Locally, 37 of the 151 major accidents on Hawaii Island roads thus far this year have involved alcohol impairment.

Hawaii Police Department officers will be on patrol, strictly enforcing drunken driving laws.

Remember, “buzzed driving” is drunken driving. Drive sober or get pulled over.