BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
For many Americans, St. Patrick's Day has become synonymous with drinking. Unfortunately, that means drunk drivers have made the holiday very dangerous.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 269 people were killed by drunk drivers on St. Patrick's Day from 2007-2011. In 2011 alone, 45 people lost thier lives. The most tragic thing about these fatalities is that they were 100-percent preventable.
St. Patrick's Day should be fun and festive - not tragic. Commit to following these easy steps, so you can enjoy a safe holiday without jeopardizing lives on the road.
· Before the festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.
· Before drinking, 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 BAADD Line at (530) 300-8315 as a back-up plan. If all else fails, you can call them if you need them!
· Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
· If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911. You could save a life.
· Be a good Wingman, if you know people who are about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, help them make other arrangements to get to where they're going safely. If a friend is drunk and wants to drive, intervene and take the keys away if you have to.
Don't press your luck this St. Patrick's Day. Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Whether hanging out with friends at a pub or attending a party, if you plan on drinking alcohol, please don't drive.