This St. Paddy’s Day, Remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
St. Clair County, MO — St. Patrick’s Day is one of America’s most widely celebrated holidays, for the Irish and non-Irish alike. It’s a great excuse to gather with friends and family and make merry over bangers n’ mash and a pint of green beer. Sadly, the night often ends with drunk drivers on the road, which pose a threat to other drivers, vehicle passengers, and pedestrians.
Tragically, March 17th has become a dangerous holiday on our nation’s roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), during the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, approximately 39% of all motor vehicle crash fatalities involved drunk drivers. In fact, from 2012 to 2016, approximately 28% of the drunk-driving fatalities during this holiday period involved drivers who had blood alcohol concentrations well above the .08 limit, with 269 drunk-driving fatalities total.
Drunk driving is a deadly and illegal behavior. It is inexcusable, and it is unacceptable. For that reason, St. Clair County law enforcement will be out in full force to make sure that if you are behind the wheel, you are sober. This year, if you’ll be drinking alcohol, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink. Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly, as lack of attention to their surroundings could put pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office recommends the following safe alternatives to drinking and driving:
- Always remember to plan ahead. You know whether you’ll attend a party. If you plan to drink, plan for a sober driver to take you home. Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously—your friends could be relying on you.
- Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve only had one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation to get home safely.
- Download NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app. SaferRide allows users to call a taxi or a predetermined friend, and identifies the user’s location so that he or she can be picked up.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact Local Law Enforcement.
- Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get them home safely.
