If you like to celebrate, this is a great weekend to be in town.
   
There are thousands of basketball fans, and beginning Saturday they'll be joined by St. Patrick's Day revelers.
   
That's why police have a busy job.

Visit any bar in downtown Nashville and the beer is free flowing.
 
Many basketball fans know it can lead to dangerous behavior.
      
"Obviously you shouldn't drink and drive.  It's not safe, it's illegal," says Brian Hodge.

Police officers are staying busy and this weekend they'll be working overtime.

"And unfortunately these are the kinds of weekends where our DUI arrests will go up, so that's why we're having this many people out here," says Franklin Police officer Matt Smalley.

The city of Franklin is bringing in 20 extra officers to help find and arrest drunk drivers.
    
Officer Matt Smalley has an eye for impairment. He sees plenty of DUI's on St. Patrick's Day.

"Sometimes I'm quite frankly surprised that they're even conscious when they're driving, as to how high their blood alcohol content winds up being, so obviously it's a big judgment impairer," says Smalley.

If you're headed downtown there's another option.
   
The Davidson County Sheriff's Office will be offering sober rides home.

"It's no questions asked.  We'll take you anywhere in the county, take you home," says Sheriff Daron Hall.

Sheriff Daron Hall says look for the tent at 3rd and Broadway. 
  
More than a thousand people are expected to take a free sober ride on Saturday and Sunday nights.

"Leave the vehicle downtown.  We will take you home.  You can come pick the car up the next day if you need to. Just do not put yourself behind the wheel," says Sheriff Hall.

While the party won't be ending any time soon, it's hoped drunk driving won't be a problem.

"It kills people daily, and we want to try to stay away from that," says Brian Hodge.

Officers across the state will be out in force this weekend.
   
Many sobriety checkpoints will be set up Friday evening and continue through Sunday.

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