One of the deadliest holidays due to the number of drunk drivers on the roadways is happening this week. The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is warning Iowans to not drink and drive this St. Patrick’s Day. On average, 68 people die nationwide each St. Patrick’s Day weekend. In 2014, 28-percent of all crash fatalities during that time involved drunk drivers, and that rose to nearly 50-percent between midnight and 6 a.m. Also, pedestrians walking while intoxicated are at risk of getting hit by a vehicle. In 2014, 35-percent of the pedestrians killed in crashes had blood alcohol content above .08.

Iowans are encouraged to have a designated driver and extra law enforcement will be on the roads March 16th-19th to keep motorists safe.