HENDERSON, KY - The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety has joined federal, state and local highway safety and law enforcement officials to remind those celebrating St. Patrick’s Day to drink responsibly.

For many Americans, the holiday is a popular time to celebrate with friends and family. Unfortunately, the celebration often leads to drunken driving – and needless tragedy.

“Whether you are meeting a few friends or attending a large party, if you plan on using alcohol, never drive while impaired — and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired,” said Kentucky Office of Highway Safety Executive Director Chuck Geveden. “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.”

According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 134 fatal crashes during the St. Patrick’s holiday period in 2008. Of those crashes, 37 percent involved a driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more. 

Geveden recommends these tips for safely celebrating St. Patrick’s Day:

*Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
*If you plan to drink, leave your car keys at home and designate a nondrinking driver.
*If impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to safely get home.
*Take the keys from anyone attempting to drive drunk and help make alternative travel plans.
*Report drunken driving to law enforcement.

“Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk,” Geveden said. “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 really significant. Don’t depend on dumb luck this St. Patrick’s Day, designate your sober driver before the party begins.”

Visit http://highwaysafety.ky.gov and http://www.stopimpaireddriving.org/ for more information.


Information provided to iSurf by Keith Todd, Public Information Officer for District One & Two of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
Posted by Karen Klay Orange - iSurf News