Leprechauns, pots of gold and shamrocks may make you feel lucky on St. Patrick’s Day, but if you’re not ready to meet the father, the son or the holy ghost yet, don’t rely on the luck of the Irish to protect you. The best way to prepare for a night out drinking on St. Patrick’s Day is to plan how you are going to get home safely.
Indeed, St. Patrick’s Day festivities typically involve plenty of drinking. Whether it’s green beer or dark-colored Guiness you are chugging back, finding your way home after the party should be your number one priority.
Options you may wish to consider include calling a taxi, Uber, Lyft or other ride service company; designating a driver; staying in your own neighborhood where you can walk home; getting a hotel room; or using public transportation. Also, if you see drunk drivers, report them immediately. It will save lives. Remember the slogan “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk” should always be kept in mind.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds us that injuries and fatalities rise on St. Patrick’s Day, but this year it falls on a Friday night and participation could be much higher than past years because most people don’t work on Saturday.
Statistics show that roughly 60 percent of all deaths on the Irish-American holiday are attributed to drivers with at least 0.1 percent alcohol in their system. More than one million people in the U.S. are arrested for DUI every year on this holiday, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report.
St. Patrick’s Day Crash Statistics
- 700 people in the U.S. died in drunken driver collisions during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday (March 16 to 18) for the 3-year period between 2006 and 2010. Roughly 80 percent of all DUI crashes involved drivers with blood-alcohol levels that were twice the legal limit. – NHTSA
- 276 people killed in DUI crashes in the United States from 2009 to 2013 – NHTSA
- 80 percent of all DUI crashes involved blood-alcohol levels twice legal limit. – NHTSA
Help for Families
If you were injured or have lost a loved one in a DUI collision, it’s important that you take immediate steps to protect your legal rights. Did you know there is a two-year statute of limitations for a personal injury or wrongful death claim? If a government entity is involved, you must also give them notice within six months that you intend to file this claim. If not, you lose the right to make a claim at all. There are many other factors involved that could hurt your claim. Johnson Attorneys Group is here to help with a FREE CONSULTATION at 800-235-6801.
- Geoffrey Balzer Killed in Coalinga Crash on Interstate 5 - June 9, 2023
- Richard Coin Killed in Oroville Pedestrian Accident on Olive Highway - June 9, 2023
- Stanislaus County Car Crash at Patterson Road and Skittone Road - June 9, 2023
