As one of the country’s most popular holidays, St. Patrick’s Day has long celebrated the roots of 34.2 million Americans with Irish ancestry.
But did you know that in 2014, there were 18 people killed in drunk-driving crashes on St. Patrick’s Day?
This year, if you’ll be drinking alcohol, Schuylkill County law enforcement officials have some advice for you: don’t drink and drive.
Police will be patrolling the region all day and night in a campaign to crack down on drunk drivers and keep the streets safe for everyone.
Tragically, March 17 has become one of the nation’s deadliest holidays.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the 2014 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, 6 p.m. March 16 through 5:59 a.m. March 18, more than 28 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities involved drunk drivers.
The early hours of March 18, 2014, were even worse when between midnight and 5:59 a.m., nearly half of all crash fatalities involved drunk drivers.
In fact, from 2010 to 2014, almost three-fourths of the drunk-driving fatalities during this holiday period involved drivers who had alcohol levels well above the 0.08 percent legal limit, with 266 drunk-driving fatalities total.
In addition, keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink because walking while intoxicated can also be deadly since a lack of attention and coordination puts drunk pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.
With these figures in mind, David Everly, regional coordinator with the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program, said there is a little good news.
He said the number of fatalities over the holiday period has decreased from 2013, when 32 lives were lost to drunk driving.
Almost a quarter of all traffic fatalities were drunk-driving-related in 2014, which was a decrease from 2013 when over a third of all crash fatalities involved drunk driving.
“We are greatly encouraged by the downward trend in drunk-driving fatalities,” Everly said. “However, we still want to encourage everyone to make a plan before heading out to the festivities.”
“Drinking and driving is dangerous and illegal ... if you are caught driving drunk, you will be arrested,” Everly said, stressing that a sober driver should be designated before any celebrations involving alcohol begin.
“Do not wait until you’ve already been drinking to find a sober driver, and never try to drive when you’re drunk,” he added. “Drive sober or get pulled over, even one drink is dangerous if you’re behind the wheel of a car.”
Everly said that to make 2016 safe, the following party-planning checklist can be used:
• Party preparation: Designate a sober, reliable driver to get you home safely. Find the name of a taxi company (or two), and keep their numbers in your phone, or download the NHTSA SaferRide app, available for Android and Apple. Use your local Sober Ride program if there is one in your area.
• On St. Patrick’s Day: Before you take your first sip of green beer, leave your keys at home or give them to a friend. Ensure your designated driver has committed to a sober evening. If you’re the designated driver, do not drink. Your friends are relying on you, as are the people with whom you share the road. Enjoy non-alcoholic beverages and tweet your VIP (very important partygoer) status online using the hashtag #designateddriver.
• Every day: First, commit to driving sober today, St. Patrick’s Day, and every day. Second, always keep the number of a taxi company in your phone or in your wallet so you have a backup plan if you find yourself in need of a sober driver. Last, be sure to download NHTSA’s SaferRide app. Using your location, the app can find a taxi nearby, as well as help you contact a friend from your selected list of contacts. If you’re impaired, don’t let pride get in the way of calling a sober friend or family member to get you home safely. Help spread the word about the dangers of drunk driving and the resources available to keep the streets safe.
Everly said that in 2014, on average, one person was killed every 53 minutes in a drunk-driving crash in the United States.
That totaled 9,967 drunk-driving fatalities that year. “Too many people are not getting the message drunk driving is deadly and illegal ... in fact, even if you have a BAC under 0.08, you could still be arrested and convicted of drunk driving,” the coordinator said.
“Alcohol not only dangerously impairs your driving skills and impairs your judgment. If you see a friend drinking alcohol, make sure they don’t plan to drive home,” Everly added.
Not only is drinking and driving a crime that could land you with a hefty court bill and jail time, but you put yourself and others at risk and the consequences are often fatal.
“If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local police when it’s safe to do so, you could save a life,” Everly said.