Special Traffic Enforcement Program is keyed to St. Patrick's Day

Decorah Police officers will be participating in a special traffic enforcement program this week, keyed to St. Patrick's Day.

Police say there has been a dramatic spike in drunk driving fatalities on the holiday.  They quote National HIghway Traffic Safety Administration figures that show 40 percent of all fatalities during the St. Patrick's Day holiday involved drunk drivers.  That percentage rose to 55 percent from midnight to 6:00 a.m. after St. Patrick's Day.

An average of 68 people have died each year nationally during the St. Patrick's Day holiday.