As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, many Minnesotans will be out celebrating with friends and family. Unfortunately, this holiday is also associated with a significant increase in drunk driving incidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest holidays on U.S. roads, with drunk driving being a major contributor to fatalities. If you’re planning on celebrating this year, it’s important to plan ahead and avoid driving under the influence.
How Can I Avoid A DWI?
One of the best ways to avoid a St. Patrick’s Day DWI/DUI is to plan ahead and arrange for a designated driver or alternative transportation. This could include a taxi, ride-sharing service, or public transportation. If you plan on drinking, it’s important to make these arrangements ahead of time so that you’re not tempted to drive after you’ve been drinking.
Another important tip is to pace yourself and drink plenty of water. It’s easy to get caught up in the festivities and drink too much, but this can lead to impaired judgment and dangerous driving. To avoid this, try to limit your alcohol consumption and make sure to drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic beverages throughout the night.
If you’re hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party, it’s important to be a responsible host and make sure your guests don’t drink and drive. You can do this by providing non-alcoholic beverages, arranging for designated drivers, and keeping an eye on your guests’ alcohol consumption. If you notice that someone is becoming too intoxicated, offer them a safe ride home or a place to stay for the night.
To avoid a St. Patrick’s Day DUI, it’s also important to be aware of your own limitations and recognize when you’ve had too much to drink. Signs of alcohol impairment can include slurred speech, difficulty walking or standing, and impaired judgment. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or someone else, it’s important to take action and avoid driving.
Additional Minnesota Law Enforcement Efforts For St. Patrick’s Day
Law enforcement agencies in Minnesota also step up their efforts to combat drunk driving during holidays, including St. Patrick’s Day. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) often deploys additional patrols and sobriety checkpoints to catch impaired drivers. It’s important to remember that law enforcement officers take drunk driving very seriously and the consequences of a DUI conviction can be severe, including fines, license suspension, and even jail time.
In addition to the legal consequences of a DUI conviction, drunk driving can also have serious and sometimes deadly consequences. According to the NHTSA, drunk driving fatalities increased by 4.6% in 2019, with over 10,000 people killed in drunk driving crashes that year. By planning ahead and avoiding drunk driving, you can help prevent these tragedies from happening.
In conclusion, while St. Patrick’s Day can be a fun and festive holiday, it’s important to be responsible and avoid drunk driving. By planning ahead, drinking in moderation, and arranging for alternative transportation, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for yourself and others. Remember, the luck of the Irish may be with you, but it won’t protect you from the consequences of drunk driving. Stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day and don’t drink and drive.
About the Author:
Christopher Keyser is an AV-Preeminent rated criminal and DWI defense attorney based in Minneapolis who is known for fighting aggressively for his clients and utilizing innovative tactics to get the most positive results. He has been featured in numerous media outlets due to the breadth and depth of his knowledge and has been named a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law by the Minnesota Bar Association. Mr. Keyser is Lead Counsel rated, and he has received recognition for his criminal law work from Avvo, Expertise, Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, and more.
