St. Paddy's Day Safety

In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a religious holiday. In the U.S., it’s primarily a day to wear green, pinch those who are not, and very often for some, drink alcohol in excess. Unfortunately, this sometimes results in those people getting behind the wheel of a car. That’s where the fun ends and a potentially deadly situation begins. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 60 people died in drunken-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18) in 2016, and nearly three-quarters (69) of those were between midnight and 5:59 a.m. on March 18.

To ensure your own safety and that of those around you, the Glasgow Police Department has brought you safety recommendations from NHTSA. Use the following tips to help ensure the safety of everyone around you.

Never provide alcohol to a minor. Before celebrating, plan your way home. Designate a sober driver in advance and leave your keys at home.

If you’re impaired, call for a ride, or ride with a sober friend or family member.

If you see a drunken driver on the road, call the police. You could save a life!

If you know someone who is about to drive drunk, take their keys and help them make arrangements to get home safely.

Never ride in a vehicle with an impaired driver.

Also, if you’re hosting a party:

Never provide alcohol to a minor.

Parents or others who provide alcohol to those under 21, or host a party where alcohol is available to those under 21, could face a fine and jail time. Make sure your guests designate a sober driver in advance.

Serve food and nonalcoholic drinks.

Stop serving alcohol a few hours before the end of the party.

Keep the phone number of local transit services on hand.

Remember that you can be held liable if someone you served winds up in a drunken-driving accident.

Following these helpful tips will keep you and your loved ones safe as you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

For more information about drinking and driving prevention efforts by the Glasgow Police Department, contact Jenny Fuller at [email protected].