Not only will a drunk driving arrest put a damper on a good time, but it will cost a lot of green. A first-time drunk driving conviction carries heavy penalties and fines, including up to 93 days in jail, up to a $500 fine, up to 360 hours of community service, six points on a driver’s license and up to 180 days’ license suspension.

“Drunk driving is a serious offense with serious consequences, but it can be avoided,” Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) director Michael L. Prince said. “St. Patrick’s Day revelers need to decide how they will get home before the party starts.”

Partygoers are encouraged to designate a sober driver, call a cab or stay at a friend’s house instead of driving after drinking too much.

Because St. Patrick’s Day celebrations often linger into the weekend, OHSP is coordinating drunk driving enforcement efforts by administering over $345,000 in federal traffic safety funds to increase patrols in 29 counties March 14-21.

Alcohol-related crashes are eight times more likely to be fatal than those not involving alcohol. In 2008, there were 20 fatal traffic crashes during the week surrounding St. Patrick’s Day, killing 21 people. Eight of those crashes were alcohol-related.

Counties receiving federal funds for increased patrols include: Allegan, Barry, Bay, Cass, Chippewa, Delta, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Mason, Midland, Monroe, Oakland, Oceana, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne.

For a list of planned patrol dates, times and locations, please visit www.michigan.gov/ohsp.