Make sure that you and your friends stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day by remembering one important piece of advice: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. If you are planning to drink alcoholic beverages on St. Patrick’s Day, it is essential that you plan for a designated driver. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a total of 73 people were killed across the nation in alcohol-related crashes during the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day holiday, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported four alcohol-related crashes on Lake County roadways in 2019. In response, the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition is teaming up with the United States Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to spread the message about the dangers of drinking and driving, because even one drink is one too many.
“While we want our community to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day festivities, we expect drivers to take responsibility for their actions”, said Haley Russo, coordinator of the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition. “If you have been drinking, please make the responsible choice and find a sober driver to get you and your friends home safely”.
- Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver, or plan to use public transportation to get home safely.
- If available, use your community’s sober ride program, such as Lyft or Uber.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, please contact local law enforcement.
- If you have a friend who is about to drink and drive, take his or her keys and make arrangements to get them home safely.
Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. For more information, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov.
