How to Get Lucky on St. Paddy’s Day: Put Your Safety First
St. Patrick’s Day is known for good food, great beer, festive parties, and lots of green. But it is also known for driving under the influence.
To put it into perspective, 252 people died in drunk driving crashes from 2011 to 2015, while 60 people died in DUI-related crashes in 2016. These shocking statistics demonstrate the dark sides of St. Paddy’s Day, which is why it’s important to put your safety first.
With St. Patrick’s Day celebrations around the corner, we must be mindful that this year’s festivities are particularly special to people. After a whole year of lockdowns throughout the nation, it wouldn’t be surprising if partygoers made up for “lost time.” As such, our DUI lawyer shares some safety tips below to help you avoid getting charged with a DUI, or worse, getting injured or killed in a drunk driving crash.
- Do not drink and drive: It sounds obvious to advise against drinking and driving, but some people think drinking one or two beers and waiting 2+ hours will “sober them up.” However, a breath and blood test may show otherwise. Know that even if you consumed a little bit of alcohol and feel sober after a night out, you will risk getting a DUI charge if you get behind the wheel afterward.
- Buckle up: Safety comes first, so wear a seat belt at all times while in the vehicle. Whether you are getting a ride home from a wild night out or driving yourself home, wear your safety belt to best protect yourself from getting injured or killed in a car crash.
- Find a DD: A designated driver, commonly called a “DD,” is a great way to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day safely. A DD stays sober throughout the night, so they are safe to drive their friends or family members home afterward. As such, ensure your DD is someone you can trust to be sober all night long. The last thing you want is to get in the car with an intoxicated person.
- Call an Uber or Lyft: If designated drivers aren’t an option, you should consider using rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft to transport you home safely.
- Do not mix alcohol with medications: Prescription medications often include warnings against using drugs and alcohol while using the medication. Mixing all these substances can create a bad reaction and result in impaired judgment, poor coordination, mood swings, drowsiness, dizziness, and more. These reactions can occur no matter how little alcohol was consumed, so avoid drinking entirely while using your prescription medications.
- Drive defensively: The St. Patrick’s Day holiday period starts at 6 pm on March 16th and ends at 5:59 am on March 18th, meaning you should be extra cautious on the roads during this time period. No matter how safe and sober you are, you cannot trust other drivers to be safe and sober. Driving defensively will lower your chances of getting hurt or killed by an intoxicated driver, so practice this good driving habit not only on St. Paddy’s Day but every day.
Unfortunately, following all the tips above does not guarantee you will avoid a DUI charge this holiday. Police officers are well-aware of what St. Paddy’s Day parties could lead to, which is why they work to identify and arrest DUI suspects as soon as possible. If you ended up in an unlucky situation, allow our Hinesville attorneys to be your first line of defense. To discuss your situation with us, make an appointment online or at (866) 580-3089!