If you're planning to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with green beer or other substances, police are sharing an important message: plan ahead.
The Timmins Police Service has issued a public safety reminder to everyone celebrating St. Paddy's Day. They're asking people to be responsible and plan ahead for a sober ride home.
"Timmins Police Traffic Section and general patrol officers will be monitoring all city traffic arteries and checking for driver sobriety in keeping with their obligation to keep city streets as safe as possible," said police in a news release.
"The burden of responsibility lies with the individual driver not to take to the wheel after having consumed alcoholic beverages or any substance that can interfere with their ability to drive safely."
So far this year, there has been an increase in the number of impaired drivers being charged.
As of last week, 16 charges for impaired driving-related offences had been laid so far in 2023.
SEE: Impaired driving numbers up 23% over 2022
RELATED: South Porcupine woman charged with impaired twice in 48 hours
The St. Patrick's Day advisory, said police, is to help everyone celebrate all-things Irish and usher in spring safely and responsibly.
"This message needs to reach the motoring public and take hold so that preventable tragedies and unnecessary criminal enforcement can be avoided," said police.
"The Timmins Police Service wishes everyone a wee bit of luck and a green spring before too long."
