Natrona County and the Wyoming Highway Patrol will enhance enforcement efforts for the St. Patrick's Day weekend, according to a news release from the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

"March 17 has become a dangerous holiday on our roads," WYDOT spokesman Jeff Goetz said.

During St. Patrick's Day in 2016. 39 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities involved drunk drivers, and 69 percent of crash fatalities involved drunk drivers from midnight to 6 a.m. March 18 -- for a total of 60 fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"For this reason, Natrona County Law Enforcement is working to spread the message about the dangers of drunk driving," Goetz said. "Even one drink can be one too many."

Natrona County and Wyoming law enforcement agencies offer these recommendations to have a safe holiday:

  • Drivers should watch for pedestrians who have had too much to drink, because walkers may not be paying attention to their surroundings and putting themselves at risk of being hit by a vehicle.
  • If you plan to drink, designate a sober driver to take you home.
  • Likewise, consider using public transportation, Safe Ride, a cab or Rideshare.
  • Download the Drive Sober Wyoming mobile app at www.wygcid.org.
  • If you see a drunk driver, call 911 for Natrona County Law Enforcement.
  • If you see someone who is about to drink and drive, take their keys and find transportation for them to go home. Don’t worry about offending someone -- they’ll thank you later.

If you see a vehicle traveling erratically, the Wyoming Highway Patrol urges you to call the Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately (REDDI) hotline number at (800) 442-9090. Callers should be prepared to provide the dispatcher with a description of the vehicle, its location, and direction of travel.

More From KOWB 1290