Bozeman Police to Increase Patrols for St. Patrick’s Day Weekend

This St. Patrick’s Day, the Bozeman Police Department reminds residents that the Luck O’ the Irish won’t save you from a DUI. To keep roads safe, officers will increase patrols from Friday, March 14, through Monday, March 17, focusing on impaired driving and reckless behavior.

“With St. Patrick’s Day landing on a Monday, we anticipate people celebrating all weekend long,” said Patrol Captain Hal Richardson. “We want people to have fun, but more importantly, we want them to get home safely. Planning a sober ride before the first drink is the best way to ensure that happens.”

The enhanced patrols are part of a statewide effort to reduce impaired driving fatalities. The Montana Department of Transportation’s Vision Zero program, which strives for zero deaths and serious injuries on Montana’s roadways, has provided grant funding for this initiative.

“We’ve seen firsthand the devastation that impaired driving can cause,” Richardson continued. “No celebration is worth the risk of a DUI, an injury, or worse. If you’re drinking, don’t drive—call a friend or use a rideshare service.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 2018 and 2022, alcohol-impaired driving accounted for 38% of traffic fatalities during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period. In 2022 alone, 74 people lost their lives nationwide due to drunk driving crashes during this time.

“If you see a friend about to drive after drinking, step in and help them find a safe way home,” Richardson urged. “If you spot a suspected impaired driver, report it to law enforcement. Your call could save a life.”

The Bozeman Police Department encourages everyone to celebrate responsibly. Designate a sober driver or call a rideshare service to ensure a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day.

For more information about Vision Zero, contact Tammy Ross at the Montana Department of Transportation at 406-444-9192 or tross@mt.gov.