VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (March 15, 2017) – St. Patrick’s Day is on the horizon, and while Irish blessings come to mind such as, “May the Road Rise Up to Meet You and May the Lilt of Irish Laughter Lighten Every Road”. AAA Tidewater adding a warning for revelers to be especially careful as it’s becoming an increasingly dangerous holiday for both motorists and pedestrians. This year St. Patrick’s Day falls on Friday giving partygoers a long weekend to celebrate the “wearing of the green”. The last time this lucky holiday landed on a weekend was in 2012 and according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles; there were 44 alcohol-related crashes on Virginia roadways during the holiday that year.
“On St. Patrick’s Day, everyone seems to be Irish for the day offering toasts to their fellow lads and lassies, but it can quickly end in tragedy due to impaired driving,” said Georjeane Blumling, Vice President of Public Relations for AAA Tidewater. “AAA urges everyone to designate a driver to ensure that everyone will be here to celebrate next March 17th and raise a glass to the memories of fun on St. Patrick’s days past and not to the memories of lost loved ones.”
To help avoid the dangers associated with drinking and driving, AAA Tidewater offers the following tips:
If you’re venturing out to an Irish pub or attending a St. Patrick’s Day party, plan ahead.
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If you plan to drive, don’t drink.
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If you plan to drink, pre-select your designated driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
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If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend or family member to come get you; or stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
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Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired.
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If you’re hosting the party where alcohol is being served, be a responsible host.
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Have food and non-alcoholic beverages available.
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Remember that it takes 40 minutes or longer for alcohol from a drink to be absorbed.
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Take note of who’s coming, who drinks, and who drives.
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Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
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Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before your guests start to leave for home
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Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.
As part of North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA Tidewater Virginia provides its more than 330,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding AAA Tidewater Virginia has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. For more information, visit AAA.com and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/AAATidewaterVA or on Facebook at facebook.com/AAATidewaterVirginia