JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
For many Americans, St. Patrick's Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family. Unfortunately, due to the large number of drunk drivers, the night out has also become very dangerous.
On St. Patrick's Day in 2009, 37 percent of drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content of .08 or above, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Additional NHTSA statistics show that in 2009, there were 103 crash fatalities on St. Patrick's Day. Out of that number, 47 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a BAC of .08 or higher.
Whether you are attending a St. Patrick's Day parade, meeting a few friends at the local pub after work, or bar-hopping throughout the night, if you plan on using alcohol, never drive while impaired -- and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired. Keep in mind that the St. Patrick's Day celebration is considered to run from March 16 at 6 p.m., to March 18 at 5:59 a.m.
The Joint Base Langley-Eustis Drug Demand Reduction Program recommends the following easy steps for a safe St. Patrick's Day.
- Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
- Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home
- If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely
- Use the Safe Ride Home Program
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to contact your local law enforcement
- And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely
Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be significant. Don't depend on "dumb luck" this St. Patrick's Day. Designate your sober driver before the party begins.
For more information, call or stop by JBLE Drug Demand Reduction Program Office locations. At Fort Eustis, visit 2794 Harrison Loop (B-Wing), or call 878-2924. At Langley Air Force Base, visit 39 Sweeney Blvd., or call 764-9608.