Maryland State Police step up patrols for St. Patrick's Day

If you're taking part in Irish festivities at bars today, you'll want to do it responsibly.

State Police in Maryland have announced a major initiative to crack down on impaired, distracted, and aggressive driving.

With an increase in drunk drivers expected on the roads, they'll be conducting saturation patrols from each of the state's 23 barracks.

Funding comes from the Maryland Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Office.

The numbers show why such campaigns are necessary.

Last year, Troopers made 105 DUI arrests that included:

- 32 criminal
- 15 drug-related arrests
- More than 1,000 speeding tickets
- 90 seat belt violations
- Nearly 3,000 other citations

One easy way to keep yourself - and other drivers - safe, is to designate a sober driver in advance. You can also plan to use public transportation, a taxi, or a ride-share service.