Over indulge on the green beverages before hitting the road on St. Patrick's Day, and prepare to see some red-and-blue lights in Douglas County and Carson City.
The two sheriff's departments are planning checkpoints aimed at those driving under the influence Saturday night. Douglas County sheriff's deputies will also be on the lookout Friday night.
"Due to the typical alcohol consumption associated with St. Patrick's Day celebrations, DUI incidents tend to increase during this celebrated festival," a Douglas County Sheriff's Office news release states, adding "National traffic studies have shown that these types of targeted patrols provide an increased risk of detection and apprehension of DUI violators, thereby reducing the number of drivers willing to risk driving while impaired by alcohol."
The Douglas County enforcement is partially paid for by a grant from the state Office of Traffic Safety.
"The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is committed to keeping the roads and highways of our community safe," Sheriff Ron Pierini said in a statement. "As part of that effort, we will be conducting additional traffic enforcement details when resources allow, particularly targeting distracted or intoxicated drivers."
The Carson City sheriff's checkpoint will run from 6 p.m. to midnight on Saturday. It will aim to keep traffic flowing smoothly by diverting any driver showing signs of intoxication to a secondary area.
The office will also be conducting child passenger safety checks. Certified deputies will show parents how to properly install and secure child safety seats and explain child seat laws.
That checkpoint will be at Carson and Colorado streets.
