This St. Patrick’s Day, Don’t Rely on Luck for Your Safety

The month of March is the month with the most DUI or DWI arrests every year. This is due to two factors: First, St. Patrick's Day Weekend is notorious for overindulgence. Second, DUI/DWI enforcement is at its height (the other peak days are New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July). From The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) NHTSA data shows that 10,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2019 that involved an alcohol-impaired driver. Among those fatalities, 68% (6,872) were in crashes in which at least one driver had a BAC of .15 or higher. Additionally, nighttime is a particularly dangerous time to be on the roads: the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2019 was 3.3 times higher at night than during the day. “The tragic loss of life from driving impaired, whether under the influence of alcohol or drugs, is 100% preventable,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Dr. Steven Cliff. “It is illegal in every state. I urge everyone to plan for a sober ride home.”

Alcohol impairs your ability to think, reason, and coordinate your muscles, which are all requirements for safe driving. The effects of alcohol are felt as early as a BAC of .08 or less. Learn more about how quickly alcohol can affect your body with the CDC's Effects of Blood Alcohol Concentration Chart. From the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Have a safe St. Patrick's Day without putting your own life or the lives of others at risk. Take note of these safety tips. Before drinking, choose a designated driver, or schedule a ride-sharing, ride-hailing, or taxi service.

• If you are hosting a party with alcohol, offer non-alcoholic drink options and make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.

• Always wear your seat belt — it's the best defense against drunk drivers.

• If you see a drunk driver on the road, safely pull over and call law enforcement.

"Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is simply not worth the risk," said DMV Commissioner D.B. Smit. "Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or a drunk driving arrest can be really significant." We Are Here To Help! If you or someone close to you has been the victim of a drunk driving incident, contact Mapp, Mapp, and Klein today! At our firm, we provide personalized service to all of our clients. You can reach our attorneys at any time, and they will remain fully involved in all aspects of your case. Call us at 757-787-8900!