2023 Saint Patrick’s Day Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently publicizing their annual Saint Patrick’s Day themed anti-drunk driving campaign. This year, they’re reminding motorists that this is one of the most dangerous nights and holiday weekends on U.S. roadways. Saint Patrick’s Day is known as a holiday for lots of drinking, and unfortunately, that also means an increase in drunk driving crashes.  

The NHTSA wants partygoers to make sure they have a safe ride home this holiday weekend and all year round. Additionally, they also want people to remember that buzzed driving is drunk driving. Safety advocates are encouraging people to make a plan to get home safely before they go out drinking. Also, motorists can expect to see law enforcement officers out in full force for the holiday weekend. 

Saint Patrick’s Day Holiday Weekend Crash Facts  

  • During the 2016-2020 Saint Patrick’s Day holiday period (6:00 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18) 287 people were killed in drunk driving crashes.  
  • In 2020, 37 people were killed in drunk driving crashes during the Saint Patrick’s Day holiday period.
  • Between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. on Saint Patrick’s Day in 2020, 31 crash fatalities involved a drunk driver. 
  • During the whole year in 2020, more than 11,000 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in the U.S.  

Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving 

Even one drink can be one drink too many. Buzzed driving is drunk driving. It’s never a good idea to get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking. Maybe you think you “feel fine,” and you’ve “only had a few.” You still shouldn't get behind the wheel. If you plan on drinking any alcohol at all, get a safe ride home. Use a ridesharing app, designate a driver or call a cab. It could save your life and the lives of others.  

The team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. wishes everybody a Safe and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day holiday weekend, and if you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a drunk driver in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California, contact our office at 1.800.GO.HARRIS for a free case consultation today.