Planning ahead could save a life. That's the message from Iowa State Patrol, ahead of the St. Patrick's Day weekend and an expected spike in drunken driving.
State Trooper Dan Loussaert says more police officers will patrol the roads this weekend to prevent accidents. On average, 68 people die nation-wide due to drunken driving on St. Patrick's Day.
He says the best way to prevent accidents is to know who you are with, carpool with friends, and have a designated driver.
And, Loussaert says going home early could help too. Over half of the drunken driving fatalities on St. Patrick's Day happen after midnight.