St. Patrick’s Day falls on Sunday this year, and that means the entire weekend will offer a chance to celebrate Irish heritage by wearing green, the fashion choice for the holiday, and enjoying plenty of Irish-themed foods and drinks.

It also is among the biggest times of the year when some indulge in binge drinking — defined as five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks for women during a two-hour period.

The numbers can be sobering. According to alcohol.org and American Addiction Centers, the holiday ranks third overall in the average number of drinks consumed at 4.2, placing it behind Mardi Gras (4.5) and New Year’s Eve (4.4.) It is, the numbers show, the holiday most men associate with alcohol (36 percent.) And, while 32 percent of men say they are binge drinkers on St. Patrick’s Day, 20 percent of women say they fall into the category.

With that in mind, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the West Virginia State Police and the Pennsylvania State Police are urging party-goers not to push the “luck of the Irish” and get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence.

Troopers with those agencies, as well as officers with township, village, city and county departments, are urging those who plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day to designate a sober driver. The state agencies and local law enforcement officials will be working together to remove impaired drivers from the roadways to ensure the safety of all motorists.

Everyone involved in law enforcement agrees that the popularity of the holiday, along with increased alcohol consumption — beer sales increase by 174 percent and spirit sales increase by 153 percent — can make it a dangerous time to be on the road.

Sadly, there were 272 lives lost in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday between 2017 and 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NHTSA reports that in 2021, 41 of 47 fatalities involving an impaired driver during the holiday period — which this year runs from 6 p.m. Saturday through 5:59 a.m. Monday — occurred at night.

Even those who choose to walk after an evening of drinking are not that safe — 33 percent of pedestrians killed in St. Patrick’s Day crashes in recent years had a blood-alcohol level of .08 or higher.

An OVI conviction likely will result in a suspension of a driver’s license, possible jail time and large fines.

Remember to designate a driver in your group if you are going out — and, designated drivers need to remember to take their job seriously. If you see a friend who is preparing to drink and drive, don’t be afraid to take his or her keys away.

Those who choose to drink and drive put themselves and everyone else in their vehicle in jeopardy. They also put every innocent driver on the road in danger.

Let’s celebrate St. Patrick’s Day responsibly. Have fun, but make sure there’s someone with you who won’t be drinking who can be the designated driver.