Don’t Push Your Luck This St. Patrick’s Holiday

SACRAMENTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#ddvip–St. Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated across the country and has become
one of the most dangerous due to the number of drunk drivers on the
road. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) wants to remind
everyone not to push their luck this holiday. There will be an increase
in DUI patrols by local law enforcement during and around the holiday to
help keep our roads safe. Luck won’t help if you drive while impaired,
so plan ahead and designate a sober driver before the drinking begins.

“St. Patrick’s Day is a fun celebration, with parades and music,” said
OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “But with alcohol as a staple at most
celebrations, OTS wants to remind you to make sure you have a plan to
get home safely before the festivities begin.”

From 2011 to 2015, 252 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes over
the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period. In 2015 alone, 30 lives were lost.
The consequences of drunk driving can not only be fatal, they’re also
expensive. Aside from jail time, the average DUI can cost $10,000.
Remember, DUI doesn’t just mean booze. Celebrating with marijuana,
taking impairing prescription medications, or combining them with
alcohol can get you a DUI.

Planning ahead is the key to staying safe after you’ve been drinking.
Before the party starts, make a plan for how to get home safely.

• A safe, sober ride home is an essential part of any plan that includes
  drinking. Before celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year, decide
  whether you’ll drink or you’ll drive. You can’t do both. If you’re
  planning on driving, commit to staying sober. Download OTS’ Designated
  Driver VIP mobile app, “DDVIP,” on your Android or iPhone. The DDVIP
  app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free
  incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic
  drinks to free appetizers and more. The feature-packed app even has
  social media tie-ins and even a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft
  or Curb.
• If you will be drinking and need a sober ride home, there are many
  options. Plan ahead for a ride from family, a friend, taxi, rideshare,
  or stay overnight within walking distance.
• Help those around you be responsible, too. If someone you know is
  drinking, do not let them get behind the wheel and help them find a
  sober ride home.

No matter how you will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year, The
California Office of Traffic Safety wants you to have a fun, safe and
lucky holiday. For more safety tips and information please visit the OTS
Facebook at www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOTS
or follow OTS on Twitter @OTS_CA. For more information on all OTS
efforts, go to www.ots.ca.gov.

Contacts

The California Office of Traffic Safety
Chris Cochran, 916-509-3063
chris.cochran@ots.ca.gov