NEWS RELEASE: March 15, 2006
FROM: The Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT: LT John Eichkorn 785-296-6800
Trooper Edna R. Buttler
Patrol Encourages Safe St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
Don’t Depend on Dumb Luck – Designate a Sober Driver Before the Party Begins
The Kansas Highway Patrol is encouraging St. Patrick’s Day revelers to act responsibly and designate a sober driver before the festivities begin. St. Patrick’s Day has become a big night out for many Americans, and it also has become a dangerous night on roadways due to impaired drivers.
“Alcohol-related crashes more frequently occur on weekends. Since St. Patrick’s Day is on a Friday this year, the Patrol is concerned the risk of impaired driving will be higher,” said Patrol Superintendent Col. William Seck. “Whether it’s meeting a few friends at a local pub after work or attending a parade in your community, if you plan on drinking, never drive impaired and don’t let your friends drive if they are impaired.”
In Kansas, half of all traffic fatalities on St. Patrick’s Day in 2004 were involved in alcohol-related crashes. There were 203 crashes resulting in four deaths and 78 injuries. Of those crashes, 13 were alcohol-related and resulted in two deaths and 13 injuries. Nationwide, 48 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2004 that occurred during the evening of St. Patrick’s Day to the early hours of the following morning involved drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of .01 or higher, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of those fatalities, a majority were crashes where the driver’s BAC was .08 or higher.
It is illegal in Kansas to drive or attempt to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or higher. Penalties for impaired driving include loss of driving privileges, fines, court costs and possible jail time. The more severe consequences of drinking and driving include injuring or killing yourself, an occupant of your vehicle or the occupants of another vehicle.
To celebrate safely, the Patrol suggests taking the following precautions:
- If you plan to drive, do not drink.
- If you plan to drink, designate a non-drinking driver and give that person your keys. Never ride with a driver who has been drinking.
- Take a list of phone numbers with you for cabs or friends to call for a sober ride home.
- If possible, plan to spend the night at the event.
- If you are throwing a party, provide non-alcoholic alternatives, and never let guests drive drunk.
- Report impaired drivers to your local law enforcement agency.
- Always wear a seat belt and buckle children into the proper safety seats. Wearing your seat belt is your best defense against a drunk driver.
Don’t depend on dumb luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Designate your sober driver before the party begins. Please remember that Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.