There are a few predictable times when auto crashes spike throughout the year. St. Patrick’s Day is one of them.
Although this holiday celebrates Irish culture and heritage, it’s also notorious for widespread alcohol consumption. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the festivities as a responsible adult. However, some party-goers and bar hoppers choose to drive while intoxicated.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the early morning hours after St. Patrick’s Day typically contain fatal crashes. Half of these deadly accidents involved drunk drivers in 2015. In 2016, this figure rose to two-thirds of lethal accidents. Furthermore, the amount of drunk driving accidents is much higher during St. Patrick’s Day than normal.
If you choose to celebrate the holiday, it’s better to plan ahead than to earn a DUI or worse: injure someone else. There are a few ways to stay safe, even with a green beverage in hand.
A common strategy is to appoint a designated driver. This is especially great for groups of friends or family. The designated driver does not have to miss out on the fun entirely; many pubs offer alternatives or non-alcoholic versions of cocktails.
In this day and age, you have a wealth of transportation options that weren’t available fifty years ago. Ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft have been extremely popular, especially around Los Angeles. Calling a cab or ride-share is much safer than driving yourself – and much cheaper than a DUI or higher insurance.
People who refrain from alcohol might still be extremely unlucky over the holiday weekend. Luck, however, has little to do with some else’s negligence. If you or a family member suffers an accident at the hands of a drunk driver, you can consider your legal options with a personal injury attorney.
