Kansas City, MO – St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in America date back to the country’s founding. However you celebrate, make sure you and your friends stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day by remembering one important piece of advice: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. This means that if you plan to drink, it’s essential that you plan for a sober ride home. Law enforcement across Iowa and around the country will be on the lookout for those who are driving impaired.

Remember: A sober driver is one who hasn’t had any alcohol. To help keep your community safe, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 7 consisting of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska is spreading the message about the dangers of drunk driving. Even one drink can be one too many.

According to NHTSA, 10,142 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2019 – 612 in our region alone. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2015 to 2019 — one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 52 minutes in 2019. This is why NHTSA wants to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal but also a matter of life and death. As you head out to the festivities, help us spread the word: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

“Drunk drivers are a continuing problem on our nation’s roads, especially around days like St. Patrick’s Day,” said Regional Administrator Susan DeCourcy. “People need to know that they can go out for a night of fun and return home safely by ensuring they have a sober driver take them home. Don’t be the reason someone — including yourself — doesn’t get home. Don’t let St. Patrick’s Day become an anniversary of a tragic night.”

During the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), 46% of crash fatalities involved a drunk driver. In fact, from 2015 to 2019, a total of 280 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day period. Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink. Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly, as lack of attention to their surroundings could put pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.

NHTSA Region 7 urges drivers to designate a sober driver before heading out for any celebrations. If you plan on drinking, plan on not driving. Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously — your friends are relying on you.

Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive.
If available, use your community’s sober ride program.
If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.