Posted on Mar 16, 2017

Don’t Rely On Luck – Tips for a Safe Saint Patrick’s Day

When we think about St. Patrick’s Day, the words that most often come to mind are: shamrocks, green, the Irish and, of course, beer. While St. Patrick’s Day has long been a celebration of Irish heritage, the holiday has also become a catalyst for one of the biggest binge drinking days of the year. In 2014, there were 18 people killed in the U.S. due to drunken driving crashes on St. Patrick’s Day.

There is some good news! Since 2013, the number of drunken driving fatalities during this holiday period has decreased. And this is the kind of trend we want to see. Remember, luck doesn’t prevent drunken driving accidents, people do. So here are some tips to help you plan for a safe and fun Saint Paddy’s Day!

Plan Before You Party – Five Saint Paddy’s Day Tips:

  • Remember buzzed driving is drunken driving – There’s no such thing as “OK to Drive.”  Play it safe and never drive after having even one drink.
     
  • Eat and remain hydrated – The rate at which alcohol affects you varies and is often based on factors such as alcohol content, body weight, food consumption and how fast you drink your alcohol.
     
  • Designate a reliable, sober driver – Or get the contact info for a taxi or ride share service. Wisconsin has the SafeRide program, of which Hupy and Abraham is a proud sponsor. Last year, Tavern League members provided more than 85,000 SafeRides to their patrons.
     
  • Call 911 if you see someone driving drunk – Getting drunken drivers off the roads saves lives. When it’s safe to do so, call the police and give a description of the vehicle, as well as its location.
     
  • Drive slow – You might be sober, but remember you’re not the only one on the road. Be attentive and buckle up, it might save your life.

Drunken driving kills more than 10,000 people each year in our country, and every single one of those deaths is preventable. This St. Patrick’s Day, if you’ll be drinking alcohol, please remember to find a sober ride home and to remind your friends and family to do the same.

At Hupy and Abraham, we believe in always balancing fun with safety. In the event that you are injured by the actions of a negligent drunken driver, contact Hupy and Abraham right away. Call 800-800-5678 or start a live chat anytime at Hupy.com.
Jill Erin Wellskopf
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Director of Marketing, Hupy and Abraham