Office of Highway Safety announces St. Patrick’s DUI Enforcement
Dover – St. Patrick’s Day brings to mind shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold, and good luck. But don’t rely on luck to can save you from a drunk-driving crash. The New Castle County DUI Task Force will be conducting a DUI checkpoint near Wilmington this Saturday the 14th to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day festivities in the city. Last year, police arrested a total of 48 individuals for DUI during St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Lisa Shaw, Office of Highway Safety DUI program coordinator offered this advice to partygoers: “Get ahead of the decision this year. If you know you’re going to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with alcohol, then figure out a plan in advance that will get you home safely. Don’t wait until you’re too buzzed to decide, and don’t ever ride with a friend who’s been drinking.” Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving, so if you have anything to drink be sure you can count on a sober friend, a taxi, or public transportation. Not drinking? Maybe this St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll be the saint who drives your friend’s home. Remember, friends don’t let friends drive drunk.
Let’s make 2015 different. Use this party-planning checklist to stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day.
- NOW: Even if you don’t have plans yet, plan to drive sober or designate a sober driver. Save the number of a taxi company in your phone so you always have a backup plan. You can find taxi numbers on our website http://www.duirealtime.com/Taxi.
- WHEN YOU MAKE PLANS: A sober driver is an essential part of any party plan. Once you know where you’ll celebrate, decide whether you’re drinking or You can only choose one.
- ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Before you take your first sip of green beer, leave your keys at home or give them to a friend. If you’re the designated driver, don’t drink. Enjoy non-alcoholic beverages and brag about your VIP (very important partygoer) status online using the hashtag #designateddriver. Only drive sober or ride with a sober driver.
- EVERY DAY: If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely. If you know people who are about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
Drunk driving has fatal consequences. If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911 immediately. You could save a life.
In 2014, 54 percent (67 of 124) of all vehicle deaths in Delaware were alcohol related. Since January 1st of this year, there have been seven (7) alcohol-related traffic deaths compared to eight (8) at this time last year. For more information on OHS’s year round DUI efforts please visit our website at www.ohs.delaware.gov .