New York State Police say they and local law enforcement will conduct impaired driving enforcement efforts during St. Patrick's Day weekend.

The traffic enforcement detail, which is funded through the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, begins Friday and runs through Sunday, troopers said.

“Drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints, additional driving while intoxicated patrols, and stings targeting underage drinking and illegal sales of alcohol to minors during the campaign. State police will also be ticketing distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices,” according to a news release from state police.

During the 2017 St. Patrick's Day weekend enforcement effort, troopers say they made 229 arrests for DWI and issued nearly 15,000 tickets. In addition, local law enforcement agencies, encompassing 32 counties and 124 agencies participated in the 2017 St. Patrick's Day crackdown, which resulted in 65 DWI/DWAI arrests, 3 DWAI-Drug only arrests, 76 other arrests, and 972 vehicle and traffic summonses.

St. Patrick's Day is one of the “deadliest” holidays due to the number of drunk drivers on the road, troopers said.

“According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, The St. Patrick's Day holiday period from 2012 to 2016 saw the loss of 269 lives due to drunk-driving crashes,” the release said. “In 2016 alone, 60 people, 39 percent of all crash fatalities, were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Patrick's Day holiday period. Between midnight and 5:59 a.m. March 18, 2016, 69 percent of crash fatalities nationwide involved a drunk driver.”

An impaired driving charge carries a maximum fine of $10,000, troopers said.

“The New York State Police, Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ask you to commit to following these easy steps so you can enjoy a safe holiday without jeopardizing lives on the road. Before the festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night—designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home. If you're impaired, use a taxi or ridesharing service, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely. If available, use your community's sober ride program. Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving--designate a sober friend to walk you home. If you see a drunk driver on the road, call local law enforcement. You could save a life,” troopers said in a news release.

The Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation "Have a Plan" mobile app is free and available for Apple, Android and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties, and a way to even report a suspected impaired driver.