Police Department plans extra patrols on St. Patrick's Day

Everybody may be a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, but that’s no excuse to drive impaired this weekend or any day of the week.

The Troy Police Department will have extra patrols out to help make this a safe holiday for everyone.

“St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday that many people celebrate by drinking,” said Chief Robert McLeod.

“But even if you’ve had only a few drinks and are just feeling ‘buzzed,’ don’t kid yourself because buzzed driving is drunk driving.”

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 in Montana, but drivers can be cited for impaired driving at lower limits.

“Your safest move for avoiding arrest and avoiding a crash is to have a sober driver,” McLeod said.

“Know how you are getting home before you start the party.”

The extra patrols concentrate on keeping impaired drivers off the road, deterring speeding and encouraging the use of seat belts and child restraints.

The additional patrols are funded by the Montana Department of Transportation Selective Traffic Enforcement Programs (STEP) grants.

St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17, the date of Patrick’s death.

It is celebrated both in and outside of Ireland, as both a liturgical and non-liturgical holiday. In the dioceses of Ireland, it is both a solemnity and a holy day.