The Arroyo Grande Police Department reminds citizens to stay safe March 17.

As one of the country’s most popular holidays, St. Patrick’s Day has long celebrated the roots of 34.2 million Americans with Irish ancestry, and many more who just want to partake in the festivities. This year, if you’ll be drinking alcohol, remember: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

Tragically, March 17 has become one of the nation’s deadliest holidays. From 2010 to 2014, almost three-fourths of the drunk-driving fatalities during this holiday period involved drivers who had BACs well above the .08 limit, with 266 drunk-driving fatalities total nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

To help lower deaths and injuries, the Arroyo Grande Police Department will deploy extra officers on overtime targeting problem areas with high numbers of DUI collisions and DUI arrests. These DUI patrols along with routine nightly patrols will look for the tell-tale signs of impaired driving to include weaving, crossing the center line, etc. Keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink: Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly, as lack of attention could put you at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.

Whether you’ve indulged a little or a lot, law enforcements wants to remind everyone that to drink and drive is a crime —you put yourself at risk, as well as others. The consequences are often fatal.