With the arrival of March, many of us are looking forward to having some green beer or Irish whiskey on St. Patrick’s Day. Despite its Irish origins, St. Paddy’s Day has evolved into an American drinking tradition. Bars and pubs throughout Texas and the United States are packed with revelers who claim to be Irish for this one particular day of the year.
However, St. Patrick’s Day is also known for the increase in drunk driving accidents and arrests every year. And since St. Paddy’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, this means that even more people will most likely celebrate Irish heritage.
So if you plan to celebrate or drive on that day, you should take several precautions in order to enjoy the day safely and, hopefully, without incident.
The following are a few tips to keep you and your family safe this St. Patrick’s Day:
- If you’re going to drink, you’re not going to drive – If you are going to drink that day, ensure that you have a plan to get from place to place. Whether you intend to get picked up by a designated driver or request a ride from Uber or Lyft, avoid drunk driving at all costs since the presence of law enforcement on the roads and highways will be in full force.
- Find a place to stay – If you plan on traveling or going someplace far from home, and you are concerned that you will not be able to arrange for any type of transportation, it may be easier to find a place to stay, either at a hotel or at a friend’s home.
- Celebrate at home – The best way to avoid getting into a car accident on St. Paddy’s Day is to have the party at your place. You won’t have to drive anywhere and your party guests are welcome to spend the night if they are too intoxicated to drive.
- Do not drive after dark – Fatal drunk driving accidents are three times more likely to occur during the evening, so unless you really need to be somewhere, it is wise to stay away from the road as soon as the sun sets.
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver in Texas, request a free consultation with our Fort Worth personal injury attorney at the Law Office of James M. Stanley today.