The Cincinnati Police Department today announced a strong push to remind all St. Patrick’s Day partiers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.  One of the most important parts of planning festivities is to designate a sober driver before the celebration begins. 

St. Patrick’s Day has become a big night out for many Americans – especially young adults.  But it has also become a dangerous night on our roadways due to impaired drivers.  With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Saturday this year, police will be working hard to remind everyone to designate a sober driver before their parties begin.  Lieutenant Robert Hungler notes, “Too many people still don’t understand that alcohol and driving just don’t mix.  Too many lives are being lost, and we need everyone’s help to stop it.”

In 2005, 59 percent of all traffic fatalities that occurred during the evening of St. Patrick’s Day to the early hours of March 18 involved drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of .01 and higher.  Of those, 89 percent involved a driver with a BAC of .08 or higher.

Here are some simple reminders for a safer St. Patrick’s Day:

• Plan ahead:  If you plan to consume alcohol, designate a sober driver before going out.  Give that person your keys.
• If you’re impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit, or call a sober friend or relative to get you safely home.
•  And remember:  Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.  If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they’re going safely.

Lieutenant Hungler offers one more thought:  “Don’t push your Irish luck by drinking and driving this St. Patrick’s Day.”