Pennsylvania - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and municipal agencies across the state are teaming up to keep the roads safe ahead of the St. Patrick's Day holiday.

PennDOT named its joint enforcement initiative 'Operation Sober Shamrock,' where several departments across Mercer and Lawrence counties will be conducting additional DUI patrols and saturation checkpoints.

These will begin on Saturday, March 7; however, it is unknown exactly where and when these checkpoints will take place.

The enforcement is part of continued efforts by PennDOT to reduce the number of impaired driving crashes, injuries and deaths.

"Plan ahead, designate that sober driver ahead of time, or schedule a ride share or taxi. Don't wait until the last minute to find a way home," said Mike Todd with the Highway Safety Network. "Never drive impaired. Buzzed driving is still impaired driving. If you've had anything to drink at all, you may likely not be a safe driver."

The joint enforcement initiative also coincides with the St. Patrick's Day impaired driving awareness campaign, which runs through the holiday on Tuesday, March 17.