Wear shamrocks, not handcuffs: Stay sober this St. Patrick's Day

Getting pinched is the least of your worries this St. Patrick's Day if you opt to get behind the wheel after drinking.

Law enforcement began the annual St. Patrick's Day crackdown last week, upping forces on the roads to nab drunk drivers during the holiday. The reason the enforcement period started so early was because people "will certainly start celebrating this weekend," Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) spokesperson Sam Cole told 11 News on March 9, one day before the 11-day crackdown went into effect.

The weeks surrounding St. Patrick's Day have some of the most DUI arrests compared to other holidays throughout the year,

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And law enforcement officers are ready and waiting for anyone who makes the unwise choice to drink and drive.

"The consequences of getting a DUI can be really life-changing and serious. You can lose your license, you can end up in jail, you can have one of those breathalyzers in your car you have to breathe into in order to start your vehicle for as long as two years, and the fines are pretty steep," Cole said.

CDOT wants to remind drivers that there are so many easy ways to avoid getting behind the wheel if you've had too much to drink. Lyft and Uber apps, for example, can both easily be downloaded right to your phone. There's also public transportation or just going the free route: a designated driver.