This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Leprechauns across the Wasatch Front have a message for those who choose to imbibe this St. Patrick's Day weekend: "Keep yer pot o' gold. Don't drive drunk."
Statuettes of leprechauns, courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, have been placed in dozens of bars to serve as reminders to celebrate the holiday with safe, alcohol-free driving. Also, servers at the various bars will be wearing green T-shirts with "Leprechauns Against Drunk Driving" printed on the front.
In addition to the visible reminders placed in bars, the UHP and other city law enforcement agencies will be setting up DUI patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the weekend.
"We want everyone to have fun this St. Patrick's Day, but we also want them to have a plan," UHP Col. Daniel Fuhr said in a news release. "If you can't get a designated driver before your celebration, plan on calling a sober friend or a cab to get you home, and encourage your friends to do the same."
In 2012, Utah law enforcement agencies made 70 DUI arrests over St. Patrick's Day weekend, according to the UHP. Six of those arrests involved alcohol-related crashes on St. Patrick's Day itself, and 34 others involved alcohol-related crashes during the holiday period.
Twitter: @jm_miller