You’ve heard it before, “everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!” Every year on March 17th, many people will join their Irish-American and non-Irish friends alike for a day of celebration. While watching parades and wearing green can be fun, the reality is that most people look forward to the holiday for the drinking. Because of this, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most dangerous holidays of the year due to the increased risk of a car accident due to a drunk driver.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period from 2010 to 2014 resulted in the loss of 266 lives due to car accidents due to drunk driving. Additionally, during the post-party hours of midnight at 5:59 a.m. on March 18, 2013, 59% of people that died as a result of a car accident, died in drunk driving crashes.
This year, we will see the start of March Madness coincide with the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, likely resulting in more people reveling and then being out on the road. If you plan on celebrating in green or with your team, please keep these St. Patrick’s Day safety tips in mind to ensure a safe and happy holiday.
- Don’t rely on the “luck of the Irish” to get you home safely – predetermine a safe way home before the festivities begin.
- Designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
- Use public transportation, a local taxi service or a ride-sharing app such as Uber or Lyft.
- Make sure your designated driver is sober, not just less intoxicated than you. If you choose to be the designated sober driver, commit to not drinking.
- If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other travel arrangements.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, call local law enforcement.
- It’s important for sober drivers to be alert and watch for unsafe drivers or intoxicated pedestrians.
Walking home from a night of celebrating can be risky too. In 2014, 35% of the pedestrians killed in car accidents had BACs of .08 or higher. Either use one of the safe ride options above or have a sober friend walk you home.
Following these simple St. Patrick’s Day safety tips will minimize your risk of accident or injury during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. So, enjoy your green beer! Just don’t enjoy one until you’ve planned a safe ride home for you and your loved ones.
If you or someone you know has been harmed by an intoxicated driver, learn your legal options. It is important to contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after an incident occurs. Call 661.855.4886 or fill out this form to schedule a free initial consultation.
