St. Patrick’s Day revelers should be careful not to drink and drive over the weekend because the Colorado State Patrol is going to be on high alert and looking for impaired drivers in Jefferson and Clear Creek counties.

The agency will increase patrols Friday through Sunday to deter drunk driving on major traffic arteries and feeder roads. Any dangerous driving behavior they see, or that is reported to them, will be addressed.

“Over the last four years (2021-2024), troopers have investigated 84 fatal crashes in these two counties and 424 crashes that caused serious bodily injury. Of these crashes, 73 occurred between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights,” the agency said Tuesday.

The leading causal factors for these crashes were lane violations involving speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving. The CSP recommends that holiday revelers get a sober ride home.

Drivers can report suspected impaired drivers by calling *CSP (*277), 9-1-1, or (970) 249-4392.