The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), Police Department (MCPD) and Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) are urging residents who choose to celebrate with alcohol during the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday to drink responsibly and to plan ahead for a safe ride home.  

To help prevent death and injury that often accompany driving under the influence, MCPD is ramping up enforcement efforts, and MCDOT is providing safe ride resources for residents who will be celebrating with alcohol.   Montgomery County businesses that sell or serve alcohol receive ongoing training from ABS to prevent the sale of alcohol to anyone who appears intoxicated or underage.  

“MCDOT is teaming up with MCPD and ABS to remind drivers that drinking and driving is never an option,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 38% of the traffic fatalities that occurred during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday between 2019-2023 involved drunk drivers. All Ride On buses are zero-fare, and SoberRide is offering discounted rideshare services. Planning a sober ride is an easy decision that can save lives.”

Maryland drivers found guilty of driving under the influence can face loss of license, hefty fines and jail time. Last year, MCPD officers made fourteen arrests of motorists suspected of driving under the influence in Montgomery County over the St. Patick’s Day weekend. 

“We want everyone to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, the priority should always be to make sure that you get home safely,” said Montgomery County Police Chief Marc Yamada. “If your plans include alcohol, please make a plan for how you’re getting home before you go out. Use a designated driver, call a rideshare or sober ride, or take advantage of the public transportation options available. Making that decision ahead of time can prevent a tragedy.”

ABS, the County alcohol licensing agency and alcohol wholesaler, provides support to local alcohol retailers and restaurants to develop responsible alcohol policies.

“ABS partners with licensed restaurants to make sure they have everything they need to serve alcohol responsibly,” said ABS Director Kathie Durbin. “We offer free training to businesses and their employees before they even get a license, and we and continue that support with on-site educational visits that reinforce our shared commitment to preventing overconsumption, impaired driving and under‑21 alcohol use. Together we encourage residents to celebrate safely this St. Patrick's Day: plan ahead, pace yourself and choose transportation options that keep you and your community protected.”

Residents are urged to make plans before heading out to celebrate and to consider the use of one of the following safe ride options: 

• SoberRide is a free ride home program offered through the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) in partnership with Lyft. A limited number of promotional codes for Lyft will be posted at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, on SoberRide.com. The codes are valid for up to $15 off one ride home taken in Lyft’s Washington, D.C. coverage area from 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, through 4 a.m. Wednesday, March 18. Participants must be 21 or older. 
  
  
• MCDOT’s Ride On buses are zero-fare; there are currently 80 routes throughout the County that operate daily. Download the free, regional public transit app, Ride On Trip Planner, to plan your next trip.  

To learn about other year-round safe ride options, visit the County’s Vision Zero Safe Ride home webpage. The promotion of safe ride resources to curb dangerous impaired driving is part of Montgomery County’s Vision Zero Initiative to eliminate serious and fatal injuries from roadways by 2030.  

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter. 

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