Make a Plan Before St. Patrick’s Day Festivities Begin
St. Patrick’s Day 2025 festivities are set to occur nationwide on and around Monday, March 17. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) emphasizes that drinking and driving is a lethal combination and should never be an option. Join NHTSA and the Airport Corridor Transportation Association (ACTA) in promoting the message: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
Every year, alcohol-impaired driving casts a shadow over the joyous celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day, tragically affecting the lives of families and communities across America. NHTSA reports that from 2018 to 2022, 38% (290) of traffic fatalities during the St. Patrick’s Day holidays (from 6 p.m. on March 16 to 5:59 a.m. on March 18) involved drunk drivers. In 2022 alone, there were 74 fatalities linked to drunk driving during this holiday, with 49 of those incidents involving drivers whose blood alcohol concentration was nearly twice the legal limit (.15+ BAC).
Among those involved in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities during this holiday, drivers aged 21-34 accounted for 34%, closely followed by those under 21 at 30%. The statistics for passenger car drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal drunk-driving accidents were 34% and 41%, respectively.
To ensure safety this St. Patrick’s Day, drivers should plan ahead if they plan to consume alcohol. It’s crucial not to wait until after drinking to decide on transportation. Alcohol impairs judgment, so securing a designated sober driver or arranging for a taxi or rideshare service is essential.
If a driver realizes they are unfit to drive, they should hand their keys to a sober individual who can safely transport them home. Friends should intervene if someone who has been drinking considers driving—take away the keys and assist them in finding a safe ride home. If you see a drunk driver, please contact local law enforcement. Remember, driving completely sober is vital because Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.