Across California, thousands of drivers will be sharing the road with other drivers over St. Patrick’s Day, and many of those motorists will be driving under the influence of alcohol. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Los Angeles car accident lawyers urge all motorists to drive responsibly and safely this St. Patrick’s Day, and avoid driving while intoxicated.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-related car accidents killed one person every 53 minutes in 2011. According to the agency, on St. Patrick’s Day, more than one-third of all fatalities involving a vehicular accident, were caused in an alcohol-related car accident. That makes it 34% of all fatalities that were linked to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Whatever your plans for St. Patrick’s Day, make sure that your group designates a sober driver for the evening. Alcohol is a huge part of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, and while there may be nothing that you can do to lower the amount of alcohol consumed, you can behave responsibly by not driving in an intoxicated state, and refusing to be a passenger in a vehicle driven by a person who is clearly under the influence of alcohol.
Alternately, make other transportation plans before evening celebrations begin. Call a taxi service, or ask a friend for a ride home.
If there is a sober ride program in your community or in your area, use it. Monitor your friends’ drinking, and never let your friends drive under the influence of alcohol. Wear your seat belt.
If you’re hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party, make sure that all of your guests have a safe ride home by designating sober drivers. Provide plenty of nonalcoholic beverage options for guests.
