Governor Andrew M. Cuomo says the New York State Police and St. Lawrence County law enforcement will crack down on impaired driving in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day

The effort will begin on March 12 and run through March 17.

“During this time, drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and underage drinking and sales to minors details during the campaign. State Police will also be ticketing distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices,” Cuomo said.

During the 2015 St. Patrick's Day weekend enforcement effort, troopers made 264 arrests for DWI and issued more than 14,000 tickets, according to Cuomo.

St. Patrick's Day is one of the “deadliest” holidays due to the number of drunk drivers on the road, according to Cuomo. The St. Patrick’s Day holiday period from 2010 to 2014 saw the loss of 266 lives nationally due to drunk-driving crashes. In 2014, alone, 29 people (28 percent of all crash fatalities) were killed in drunk-driving crashes over this period, Cuomo said.

“Choosing to drive drunk can ruin or end the life of the driver and others around them. Those who do face jail time, the loss of a driver's license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of unanticipated expenses. An impaired driving charge carries a maximum fine of $10,000,” Cuomo said in a prepared statement.

The New York State Police, Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend the following these steps:

• Before the festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.

• Before one starts drinking, designate a sober driver and leave car keys at home.

• If impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation

• If available, use a sober ride program

• “Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home,” according to Cuomo.

• If one sees a drunk driver on the road, call local law enforcement.