Don’t Tempt Fate on St. Patrick’s Day – Get a Sober Ride Home
MERIDIAN, Idaho – As the excitement of St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the Idaho State Police (ISP) emphasizes the importance of arranging a sober ride home. From March 14th to 18th, law enforcement agencies across the state will team up with the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) to bolster patrols and discourage impaired driving.
Throughout the years, St. Patrick’s Day has tragically become one of the deadliest periods on our nation’s roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 2017 and 2021, 272 lives were lost in drunk driving accidents during this holiday period.
At a local level, throughout 2022, OHS data reveals 1,799 impaired driving crashes in Idaho, resulting in the loss of 110 lives. During this time, law enforcement made 7,781 DUI arrests statewide. These statistics emphasize the importance of getting a sober ride home – not only on St. Patrick’s Day but throughout the year.
“Taking a moment to plan for a sober ride can make all the difference in ensuring a safe celebration for everyone,” emphasizes ISP Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon Kelley, underscoring the critical importance of proactive planning and responsible decision-making during festive occasions. “Don’t tempt fate on St. Patrick’s Day; get a sober ride home.”
Combatting impaired driving is a collective responsibility. If a friend insists on driving under the influence, intervene and find them a sober ride. Additionally, if you plan on consuming substances that could impair your driving abilities, plan for a safe ride home.
The funding for additional patrols targeting impaired driving enforcement on St. Patrick’s Day is made possible through a grant from OHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For further resources on preventing impaired driving, please visit shift-idaho.org/beheretomorrow/.