Sacramento, CA… The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) today announced that it will have agents out enforcing alcoholic beverage laws on March 17th to help make St. Patrick’s Day celebrations as safe as possible. If you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, remember to do so responsibly by having a plan to get home safely.

Last year in California seven people were killed, and 116 others were injured in crashes caused by driving under the influence on St. Patrick’s Day.

Driving under the influence puts yourself and others on the road at risk and it also hurts financially; attorneys’ fees, fines, court costs, insurance rate hikes and car repairs can reach $15,000 or more in California.

In addition to enforcing alcoholic beverage laws, ABC agents will also be checking on health order compliance. California’s public health guidance advises to limit mixing with people you don’t live with as much as possible to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Agents will be working in collaboration with local law enforcement, licensed establishments, and community stakeholders to help make the holiday as safe as possible. They have made over 233,000 site visits during the pandemic to enhance public safety since starting work with the California Office of Emergency Services COVID -19 Task Force.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

ABC protects communities through education and by administering prevention and enforcement programs designed to increase compliance with California’s alcoholic beverage laws. Visit ABC’s website to learn about ABC programs that can increase public safety.

ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency.

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