Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith is urging motorists to plan a safe ride home from St Patrick's Day festivities and not to get behind the wheel after drinking.  Deputies will be cracking down on drunk drivers as part of the statewide law enforcement. 

Smith says they are encouraging the proper commemoration of St. Patrick, the display of pride of heritage by people of Irish descent, and the recognition of contributions made to the country by Irish immigrants.  But he added that revelers must celebrate responsibly and that includes not driving if they have been drinking. 

Statistics recently published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate that, on average, about every 51 minutes a person is killed in a drunk-driving crash in the United States.