While St. Patrick’s Day is one of the nation’s most popular holidays, it is one of the deadliest on the roads. St. Patrick’s Day is largely celebrated with festive shamrock-inspired parades and social gatherings, yet the Irish-American holiday also brings an excess of green beer consumption and other spirits, in addition to binge-drinking, resulting in a surge of alcohol-related driving incidents.
As revelers celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, they are reminded that police patrols increase on holidays and weekends surrounding popular holidays across the country to combat drunk, impaired or reckless driving — which can result in potential criminal charges for those imbibing too much.
St. Patrick’s Day DWI Statistics
In 2025, St. Patrick’s Day impaired driving enforcement, 1,224 people were arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) across New York State and with 55,661 tickets were issued, while charges related to impaired driving carry fines of up to $10,000, according to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s website.
Further, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, nationwide:
• drunk male drivers were involved in fatal crashes at a higher rate (26%) during the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day holiday compared to female drivers (25%);
• young drivers ages 21-34 accounted for the highest percentage (35%) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes during the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day holiday;
• nighttime driving during the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day holiday was significantly more dangerous than daytime driving, with 32% of drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. being drunk. Almost half (41%) of drivers involved in fatal crashes between the hours of midnight and 2:59 a.m. were drunk; and
• the percentage of drunk passenger car drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes during the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day holiday were 31% and 43%, respectively.
Risks of DWI During St. Patrick’s Day Holiday
Motorists should be aware that a DWI charge can lead to a misdemeanor or felony conviction and a subsequent criminal record. They should also know that simply being pulled over and asked about the evening’s alcohol consumption by an officer does not mean a motorist is guilty of DWI.
St. Patrick’s Day consistently brings a surge in DWI arrests because law enforcement significantly increases patrols and sobriety checkpoints. People should understand that a DWI charge isn’t just a ticket, it can mean arrest, license suspension, steep fines, and a criminal record that follows you for years.
If an individual is involved in a DWI crime, there are ways to ensure that their innocence is preserved. Before heading out to that party, motorists should seek insight from an experienced DWI attorney.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Safely
The New York State Police and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee proposed the following steps for individuals celebrating St. Patrick’s Day without jeopardizing lives on the road:
• Before the festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.
• Before you start drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi or ridesharing service, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
• Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call local law enforcement.
In addition, according to Psychology Today, some common-sense tips can help keep St. Patrick’s Day revelers safe and avoid binge drinking during St. Patrick’s Day include:
• Be aware of the danger on the road and know that binge drinkers are 14 times more likely to report alcohol-impaired driving than non-binge drinkers. Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 31 minutes and non-fatally injure someone every two minutes.
• Know your limits and pal-up with a non-drinking friend.
• Make a plan: Be certain that there is always a designed driver in your party and try to have fun and conversations with non-drinkers.
The bottom line? Don’t drive drunk. But if you do, and you get a DWI, contact a qualified attorney to represent you.
Tully Rinckey attorneys understand that issues surrounding DWI and other driving infractions can be challenging, and they will handle your matter with the attention and tact it deserves. If you have additional questions about your rights as a driver in New York State, our team of attorneys is available to assist you today. Please call (888) 628-1968 to schedule a consultation, or schedule a consultation online.
Aaron Pam, Esq., is a Senior Associate in Tully Rinckey’s White Plains office, who handles civil and criminal litigation matters. He also has extensive experience handling appeals, including civil and criminal appeals, commercial litigation, mediation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, general business matters, white-collar criminal investigation and defense, landlord-tenant disputes and social media-related and cyberlaw matters involving Internet privacy, cyberbullying, cyber-stalking, defamation, revenge porn, and free speech cases.
