Authorities, Businesses Take Steps to Curb Drunk Driving on St. Patrick's Day

Police checkpoints, free rides, and bar promotions aim to keep impaired drivers off the roads

Mar. 18, 2026 at 3:34am

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As St. Patrick's Day celebrations kicked into high gear in the Dayton, Ohio area, local authorities and businesses took proactive measures to address the issue of drunk driving. Police set up checkpoints to screen drivers, while a local bar offered free shots to encourage responsible drinking. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office also provided free rides home through its Arrive Safe program.

Why it matters

Drunk driving remains a major public safety concern, especially during holidays and events with heavy alcohol consumption. By partnering with local businesses and implementing targeted enforcement, authorities hope to reduce the number of impaired drivers on the roads and prevent potential accidents and tragedies.

The details

In Washington Township, Mack's Tavern offered free Jameson and Bailey's shots as part of a St. Patrick's Day tradition started in 2015. The bar's owner, Mackenzie Manley, said they had served 157 Irish car bomb waterfalls. Meanwhile, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office set up a checkpoint for four hours on Tuesday night, asking drivers if they had been drinking or planned to. Over in Dayton, The Dublin Pub's St. Patrick's Day celebration was packed with revelers, including first-time attendee Shawn Bertke.

  • The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office checkpoint was set up on Tuesday night.
  • Mack's Tavern has offered the free shot promotion as a St. Patrick's Day tradition since 2015.

The players

Mackenzie Manley

The owner of Mack's Tavern in Washington Township, who started the bar's St. Patrick's Day free shot promotion in 2015.

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that set up a checkpoint on Tuesday night to screen drivers for impaired driving.

Shawn Bertke

A first-time attendee of The Dublin Pub's St. Patrick's Day celebration in Dayton.

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What they’re saying

“We started with 157 and hold the world record at 157 Irish car bomb waterfalls.”

— Mackenzie Manley, Owner, Mack's Tavern

“A lot bigger than I thought it was going to be.”

— Shawn Bertke

What’s next

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office will continue to monitor for impaired drivers throughout the St. Patrick's Day holiday weekend.

The takeaway

By taking proactive measures such as sobriety checkpoints, free ride programs, and bar promotions that encourage responsible drinking, local authorities and businesses are working together to keep impaired drivers off the roads and make the community safer during the St. Patrick's Day celebrations.