St. Patrick's Day is quickly approaching, and the widely popular holiday in the U.S. is hailed as a day to dress up and indulge. Known for its lively festivities and green apparel, St. Patrick’s Day has also quickly become one of the most dangerous holidays due to the number of drunk drivers on the road.
"St. Patrick's Day is a day of celebration and fun," said Mark Philippy, Operations Manager for American Medical Response (AMR). "We want people to enjoy themselves, but we also want to remind them to plan ahead before indulging in any of the festive adult libations commonly associated with the holiday.”
AMR offers these tips for a fun and safe St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
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Remember alternative beverages. For guests who may not want to indulge or for designated drivers, remind them to bring their own non-alcoholic beverage options.
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Plan ahead. Before you indulge in adult libations, be sure to formulate a plan to get home safely. Designate a sober driver, call a cab or rideshare service, or make plans to stay overnight.
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Keep your guests safe. If hosting a gathering, make sure to arrange safe transportation home for anyone who may have overindulged.
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Report drunk drivers. If you suspect someone on the road could be drunk, call 911 immediately.
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Don't let friends drive drunk. If one of your friends has had too much to drink, don't let them get behind the wheel. Take their keys and help to find them a safe ride home.
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Always wear your seatbelt. The best defense against injury in a crash with a drunk driver is a seatbelt.
The more of these precautions you follow, the safer your St. Patrick’s Day celebration will be. AMR is committed to the health and wellbeing in the communities it serves. Our caregivers promote safety and preparedness to save lives and prevent both injury and disability.
For more information on St. Patrick's Day safety, visit www.NHTSA.gov.