Think Before You Drink on St. Patrick’s Day

March 17, 2020

St. Patrick’s Day is meant to be a celebration of Irish culture, but for many people, it is an excuse to meet up with friends at a local bar and have a few drinks. This is particularly dangerous when people attempt to drive after having too much to drink. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2016, 60 people were killed in drunk driving accidents over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, the NHTSA is urging people to keep important safety tips in mind if they plan to participate in the festivities.

Too often, people have a couple of drinks, thinking that they are fine to drive home if they are just a little bit tipsy. However, in the eyes of the law, buzzed driving is drunk driving. Even a small amount of alcohol can have an impact on a driver’s ability to focus on the road and react quickly to an unexpected situation. The NHTSA has warned people to avoid making irresponsible, alcohol-impaired decisions that could have devastating, if not deadly, consequences.

Safety Tips to Get Home Safely

Plan ahead and make sure that at least one person in the party stays sober. Police will be running roadside sobriety checkpoints at a wide range of locations, including spots close to restaurants, bars, and pubs. Safety officials and law enforcement urge all party goers to keep the following safety tips in mind this St. Patrick’s Day:

• Pick a designated driver at the beginning of the night, and make sure that person stays sober.
• The NHTSA has a SaferRide app that people can use if they do not have a designated driver or another way to get home safely.
• Do not let a friend drive drunk and take their keys if they try to drive.
• Never accept a ride from an intoxicated driver.
• Always wear your seat belt. This will help protect you from injuries if you are hit by a drunk driver.

Baltimore Car Wreck Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Protect Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents

If you were injured in a drunk driving accident over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, do not hesitate to contact the Baltimore car wreck lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We take these accidents seriously and will work tirelessly to ensure that the negligent party is held responsible for your injuries. Protecting your rights is our top priority. We will secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Prince George’s County, allowing us to represent victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.