So-called "adult holidays" often lead to increased DWI patrols, and the St. Patrick's Day holiday typically results in a number of DWI arrests for party-goers.

Gastonia, North Carolina, has announced it will carryout a week long DWI enforcement program from Friday, March 12, to Saturday, March 20. As part of the increased efforts, police will put license checkpoints in place. Several main roads in the area will be shut down for police to continue to carryout these checkpoints. The goal, according to the police department, is to promote safe driving behavior and keep dangerous drivers off the street.

The program will run in conjunction with an anti-DWI campaign in local bars and restaurants. Posters hung by managers of establishments serving alcohol show the local cooperation in the effort. Bar and restaurant owners know this weekend can be dangerous, so they are participating in the efforts.

If you notice a DWI checkpoint this holiday, you do not have the obligation to go through the checkpoint. You are always permitted to choose an alternate route; in fact, checkpoints are often announced ahead of time to give you this option. However, it is important to realize patrols in the area will be alerted if a car appears to have intentionally avoided the checkpoint. Once you have entered a checkpoint, you have an obligation to listen to the officer's orders.

To keep safe in a checkpoint, always carry your license, registration and insurance information. Do not travel with open containers of alcohol. Ensure every passenger in your car is wearing a seat belt, and ensure your car is in good working order including all headlights, taillights and signals. If you follow these rules with a designated driver behind the wheel, you should pass through the checkpoint without any increased hassle. 

Staying safe during the holiday is not just about designating a drunk driver. Anytime you are on the road, you may be at risk of injury at the hands of others who are not making good decisions. In order to protect yourself, wear a seatbelt at all times and avoid dangerous roads at night. 

If you are a pedestrian, you are in particular peril. A driver does not need to be impaired to have difficulty seeing a pedestrian on the roadway at night. This is particularly true if the pedestrian is impaired, which can often lead to walking, sitting or resting  in an area of the road that is unsafe. Wearing reflectors and identification will help keep you safe as a pedestrian. Stick to the sidewalks, and do not cross the street illegally.