Nebraska state troopers urge people to drive sober on St. Patrick’s Day

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska State Patrol will be having extra enforcement to keep roads safe on St. Patrick’s Day.

Law enforcement agencies across the state urge everyone to have a sober driver on St. Patrick’s Day.  Nebraska agencies are joining the National campaign to keep roads safe on St. Patrick’s Day.

“Drunk driving is dangerous for everyone on the road, not simply the impaired driver,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of NSP in a written statement. “Take chance out of the equation and plan ahead for St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re celebrating, choose a designated driver or another means to have a sober driver get you home.”

Nationally, almost 300 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes on St. Patrick’s Day from 2016 to 2020, according to NSP.  Statistics from the Nebraska Department of Transportation show that one in three fatal crashes in Nebraska involved alcohol.

The campaign is made possible due to an $11,800 grant from NDOT, NSP says.