St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in America date again to the nation’s founding. Whereas this 12 months’s celebration might proceed to look a bit of totally different in your hometown, nonetheless you rejoice, be sure to and your mates keep secure this St. Paddy’s Day by remembering one vital piece of recommendation: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
Because of this should you plan to drink, it is important that you just plan forward for a sober experience residence. Bear in mind: A sober driver is one who hasn’t had any alcohol. To assist hold your neighborhood secure, the Pea Ridge Police Division is teaming up with the U.S. Division of Transportation’s Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) to unfold the message in regards to the risks of drunk driving. Even one drink may be one too many.
“We perceive individuals are in search of a purpose to rejoice, and we would like our neighborhood members to take pleasure in St. Patrick’s Day, however we additionally wish to impress upon everybody the significance of secure driving,” stated Police Chief Lynn Hahn of the Pea Ridge Police Division. “In case you’ve been ingesting, make the fitting option to discover a sober driver to get you and your mates residence safely. Earlier than you place your keys within the ignition, remind your self: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.”
In accordance with NHTSA, 10,142 individuals had been killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2019. On common, greater than 10,000 individuals had been killed annually from 2015 to 2019 — one individual was killed in a drunk-driving crash each 52 minutes in 2019. That is why the Pea Ridge Police Division is working with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving will not be solely unlawful, it’s a matter of life and demise. As you head out to the festivities, assist us unfold the phrase: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
In the course of the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day interval (6 p.m. March 16 to five:59 a.m. March 18), nearly half (46%) of crash fatalities concerned a drunk driver. In reality, from 2015 to 2019, a complete of 280 lives had been misplaced in drunk-driving crashes in the course of the St. Patrick’s Day interval. Drivers must also hold a watch out for pedestrians who’ve had an excessive amount of to drink. Strolling whereas intoxicated can be lethal, as lack of consideration to their environment might put pedestrians liable to getting hit by a car.
“Drunk drivers are a unbroken drawback on our nation’s roads, particularly round days like St. Patrick’s Day,” stated Chief Hahn. “Individuals have to know that they’ll exit for an evening of enjoyable and return residence safely by guaranteeing they’ve a sober driver take them residence. Do not be the explanation somebody — together with your self — would not get residence. Do not let St. Patrick’s Day change into an anniversary of a tragic evening.”
In case you’re the designated driver, be sure to do not drink so you’ll be able to hold that promise of security to your self and your passengers. It may be a protracted evening, however individuals are relying on you; to not point out the opposite drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on the streets. Take the function of designated driver significantly — individuals are counting on you.
Plan a Sober Experience
Earlier than ever heading out, it is vital to plan forward. Be trustworthy with your self: You recognize whether or not you may be ingesting or not. Observe these concepts to make sure you and your fellow partygoers dwell to be Irish one other day.
Keep in mind that it’s by no means okay to drink and drive. Even should you’ve had just one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to make use of public transportation or a experience service to get residence safely.
In case you see a drunk driver on the highway, contact the Pea Ridge Police Division. You may name 9-1-1 to report a drunk driver – it is a matter of life or demise!
Do you could have a buddy who has been ingesting and is about to drive? Take the keys away and make preparations to get your buddy residence safely.
For extra details about the Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving marketing campaign, go to www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.
