RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia State Police (VSP) is urging residents of the Commonwealth who plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend to designate a sober driver.
St. Patrick’s Day falls on Sunday, March 17 this year. Last year in Virginia, 66 people were injured and six people were killed in 124 crashes involving alcohol during the week of St. Patrick’s Day, according to the department.
The department is urging Virginians who plan to celebrate the holiday with alcohol to plan ahead and take the following steps to stay safe:
- Ensure you have a designated sober driver, a plan to use public transportation or a ride share service BEFORE any drinking begins.
- Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Be honest with yourself and know that, even if you only plan on having one drink, you should plan on having a designated driver.
- Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly. Being under the influence can cause a lack of attention to surroundings and put pedestrians at risk of being hit by a driver.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, pull over safely and dial #77 on a cell phone or call 911.
- If you know someone who has been drinking and is about to drive, take the keys and make arrangements to get them home safely.
- If you are driving, keep an eye out for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users on the roadways.
“St. Patrick’s Day can be a fun time to have a pint but, remember, getting behind the wheel when intoxicated is no way to celebrate,” said VSP Superintendent Colonel Gary T. Settle. “Driving drunk is a choice — a choice with deadly consequences for you, your passengers and every other motorist sharing the road with you. Never drive drunk or under the influence of drugs.”