OKEMOS - Many will take part in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, but Meridian Township Police encourage for people to celebrate responsibly.

The celebrations should start and end at the bar, and never continue into your vehicle.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 700 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving drunk drivers during St. Patrick’s Day holidays from 2006 to 2010.

"We just hope that people enjoy the holiday absolutely," said Greg Frenger, Meridian Township Police Captian. "We want people to have a nice time, but be smart about how you get yourself to and from these celebration events and don't drink and drive."

The police department's response was to add more personnel that entire day to maximize safety.

Driving drunk is never an option, it puts you and the people around you in danger. Not only that, but it can also cost a pretty penny.

"Assuming you've just been arrested for drunk driving after a traffic violation, the estimates are it's a minimum of $10,000 cost," Frenger said.

To increase safety CATA offered free rides on their trolleys St. Patrick’s Day from 4pm to 3am. The Entertainment Express trolleys started service earlier last Saturday and ran every 15 minutes between downtown Lansing and East Lansing.