St. Patrick's Day can be a deadly time for motorists on New Jersey's roadways.

St. Patrick's Day
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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 700 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving a drunk driver during the St. Patrick's Day holiday from 2006 to 2010.

Traffic safety officials are especially concerned with this year's holiday since it falls on a weekend.

"We are expecting a lot of folks to overindulge, and we're hoping that those folks are smart enough not to get behind the wheel," said Tracy Noble, a spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Noble said it's important for people to plan ahead before the celebrations begin.

"If you are hosting a party, take the keys off your guests if they are impaired. If you are going to a party, plan ahead and designate a driver, use mass transportation or call a taxi."

Noble says New Jersey drivers can help keep the roads safe from drunk drivers by calling their local law enforcement agency or pressing #77 on their cell phone to report dangerous drivers. "It's a tool to report aggressive driving or erratic behavior on the roadways."

Signs a driver is impaired include:

  •  Signaling inconsistent with driving
  •  Crossing the centerline
  •  Accelerating and braking erratically
  •  Making wider turns than necessary
  •  Weaving, swerving, or drifting between lanes and the sides of the roads

Officials will need to know what you saw and a description of the vehicle, including it's  color, model, license number and any distinguishing marks.

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