Keep The Shenanigans Off The Road This St. Patrick’s Day
DPS Supports Increased DUI enforcement blitzes during the holiday weekend
SALT LAKE CITY, UT, March 11th, 2026 – St. Patrick’s Day is often one of the biggest drinking nights of the year. If you or members of your group are going to drink, the Utah Department of Public Safety wants to remind you that if you feel different, you drive different, so keep the shenanigans off the road.
“Alcohol, prescription drugs, marijuana, or any combination of these substances affects your judgment and safe perceptions on the road. Law enforcement has zero tolerance for impaired driving... preliminary 2025 data shows total DUI fatalities are down 32% compared to the five-year average; still, DPS and our partners are stepping up enforcement to deter and detect impaired drivers.”
— Major Jason Ricks, Utah Highway Patrol
St. Patrick’s Day in Utah: The Last 5 Years
A late 2024 survey showed that 48% of Utah drinkers consume alcohol during St. Patrick's Day. While celebrating is common, state data from the past five years highlights the serious risks on our roads:
- The Toll: 51 alcohol-related crashes, resulting in 5 fatalities.
- Increased Risk: You are 5.6 times more likely to encounter an alcohol-related crash on St. Patrick's Day than on a typical March day.
- Peak Danger Hours: Crashes spike heavily between Midnight and 3:00 AM.
- Highest Risk Demographic: Drivers aged 21-24 are the most frequently involved.
- Top Location: Salt Lake County sees the highest frequency of these crashes.
- Common Mistakes: Failing to maintain proper lane and running off the roadway.
*Note: Fatalities involved drivers over the 0.05 legal limit. Total alcohol-related crashes include any detectable amount of alcohol.
Statewide Enforcement Blitz
DUI saturation patrols and multiagency coordinated blitzes will occur throughout the state during St. Patrick’s Day weekend:
- 36 Police agencies participating.
- 155+ additional DUI overtime enforcement shifts statewide from March 13th-17th.
- Shifts are funded by federal grants through the Utah Highway Safety Office.
- High-visibility enforcement and DUI safety message campaigns will run paid ads in English and Spanish on Meta and Google.
Impaired Driving Facts
- High Lethality: Alcohol-related crashes are 14.6x more likely to result in a fatality than all other types of crashes.
- Extreme Impairment: In 2025 (SFY), the average BAC for alcohol-related DUI arrests in Utah was 0.14.
- Fatality Statistics: Alcohol-related fatalities accounted for 18% of all traffic fatalities from 2021 to 2025.
- Arrest Statistics: In 2025 (SFY), there were 10,923 DUI arrests in Utah; that’s an average of 30 arrests per day.
(All DUI)-Related Crashes & Arrests 2013-2025
(Results show both alcohol & drug-related crashes)
| Category | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total DUI Crashes | 842 | 870 | 1037 | 1039 | 1004 | 1091 | 1090 | 1088 | 1065 | 1068 | 988 | 966 | 887 |
| Suspected Serious Injury | 21 | 35 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 35 | 28 | 36 | 31 | 39 | 40 |
| Fatal Crashes | 15 | 25 | 59 | 71 | 70 | 90 | 97 | 126 | 138 | 163 | 117 | 120 | 94 |
| Fatalities | 15 | 39 | 69 | 76 | 84 | 101 | 107 | 136 | 157 | 180 | 135 | 140 | 101 |
| Statewide Arrests* | 12,227 | 10,901 | 10,802 | 10,755 | 10,762 | 10,383 | 9,995 | 10,532 | 10,619 | 10,413 | 11,246 | 11,440 | 10,923 |
*Note that DUI arrest data is compiled throughout the State Fiscal Year, from July 1st to June 30th. Crash data is shown for each Calendar Year.
**2025 Crash data is preliminary and is subject to change.
Safety Precautions
DPS encourages everyone to take the following safety precautions:
- If you drink, don’t drive: Impairment starts with the first drink.
- Never let a friend drive impaired: Arrange a safe and sober way for them to get home.
- Know the risks: Any impairing substance could lead to a DUI. Medications, drugs, or any combination with alcohol can significantly affect your judgment and driving ability.
- Plan Ahead: Designate a sober driver in your group before going out.
- Intervene: If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 911.
- Buckle Up: Always drive buckled; it's your best defense against impaired drivers.
For more information
Utah's Impaired Driving Program
Lynda Hansen
385-290-5305
[email protected]
