The Times Union is reporting the Columbia County Sheriff's Office is increasing patrols to catch and arrest drunken drivers on St. Patrick's Day. In a statement released Wed., Mar. 12, the department said it was giving fair warning to anyone traveling in the county that additional patrols will be out. Sheriff David Bartlett recommended some steps to stay safe:

• Before the festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.


• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.


• If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely.


• If you know people who are about to drive while impaired, or ride with someone who is impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.