(NHTSA)
Otter Tail County, MN – With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Otter Tail County Safe Communities Coalition, and the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office are urging drivers to remember that drinking and driving is deadly and never an option.
Every St. Patrick’s Day, alcohol-impaired driving takes the lives of community and family members across America. In 2022, 74 people died in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s holiday, with 49 involving drivers with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) nearly twice the legal limit. The highest percentage of those involved occurred among drivers aged 21-34 (34%), followed by those under 21 (30%).
“Embracing St. Patrick’s Day and its traditions is one thing; engaging in the deadly behavior that is drinking and driving is another. Feeling buzzed and getting behind the wheel puts lives at risk,” reminds Sergeant Allen Mekash of the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office. “As law enforcement officers, we witness firsthand the devastation and loss caused by alcohol-impaired driving, along with the lasting pain it inflicts on families, friends, and entire communities.”
The Sheriff’s Office says drivers should be safe during St. Patrick’s Day by planning ahead if they intend to drink. They shouldn’t wait until after drinking to plan how to get somewhere, as alcohol impairment clouds a person’s judgment.
If a driver finds they are unable to drive, they should give their keys to a sober driver so that person can get them home safely. When a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive — take away the keys and help them get a sober ride home.
Story courtesy of Otter Tail County
