PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police(PSP), Marple Township Police Department, Pennsylvania DUI Association, and AAA recently held an event to promote traffic safety during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. The event aimed to remind drivers that drinking and driving is dangerous and should never be an option.
“Impaired driving poses a significant threat to public safety, as it increases the risk of crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the road,” said Marple Township Police Department Chief Brandon Graeff. “The majority of such tragedies are entirely preventable, so promoting impaired driving safety through education and enforcement with public campaigns such as these is crucial to protecting individuals, families, and communities.”
Every year, alcohol-impaired driving casts a shadow over the festive spirit of St. Patrick’s Day by taking the lives of community members. According to PennDOT data, in the Philadelphia region during the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, beginning on Friday, March 8, and running through Sunday, March 17, there were 59 crashes involving an impaired driver, resulting in three fatalities.
“Remember, it’s not just about you! Other people on the roads also want to get to their destinations safely. Don’t let alcohol or drug impairment cause you to be a risk to yourself and others on the road,” said Pennsylvania DUI Association Regional Program Administrator Jim French. “Impaired driving is completely irresponsible, entirely preventable, and can be deadly. Make the right choice: get a ride.”
Drivers should prioritize safety on St. Patrick’s Day by planning ahead if they plan to drink. It’s important not to wait until after drinking to figure out how to get home. Alcohol impairs judgment, so drivers should arrange for a designated sober driver or use a rideshare service or taxi to ensure a safe ride home. Walking while impaired can also be dangerous, so designate a sober friend to get you home safe.
If drivers realize they cannot drive, they should give their keys to a sober driver to ensure they get home safely. If a friend has been drinking and is thinking about driving, others need to be proactive—take away their keys and assist them in finding a safe, sober ride home. If you see someone driving under the influence, call 911.
The 2023 iteration of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Annual Traffic Safety Culture Index describes Americans’ perceptions of, attitudes toward, and engagement in dangerous driving behaviors and identifies profiles of risky driving. When it comes to impaired driving, drivers overwhelmingly perceived driving after drinking alcohol (95 percent) as very or extremely dangerous, yet seven percent of respondents reported having engaged in this behavior in the past 30 days.
“Don’t rely on the ‘luck of the Irish’ this St. Patrick’s Day weekend,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic Manager of Public and Government Affairs Jana Tidwell. “Whether you’re attending a house party or pub crawl, if alcohol is part of the festivities, designate a sober driver, use a ride share such as Lyft or Uber, or take public transportation to ensure you get home safely. Drunk driving is 100 percent preventable. There’s no excuse.”
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