This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday. The celebratory day is one of the biggest drinking occasions of the year, and this, unfortunately, means more drunk drivers on the roads. With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Sunday, we can expect a fairly dangerous weekend for drivers and passengers alike.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges everyone to drink responsibly during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day. The international celebration is often recognized by adults as a time for gatherings at bars and pubs. Unfortunately, one night of drinking can lead to deadly consequences if plans aren’t made to get home safely.

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest days on the nation’s roads. Across the nation in 2021, 41 of the 47 traffic fatalities involving an impaired driver during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period occurred in the nighttime hours (6:00 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.). Still, 31 daytime fatalities in drunk-driving crashes occurred between 2017 and 2021 over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period.

In 2022, Michigan had one fatality and nine serious injuries during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, and all occurred in the nighttime hours. One person was killed in an alcohol-involved crash every 1 day 3 hours 12 minutes. Of all fatal crashes, 28.6 percent involved at least one drinking operator, bicyclist, or pedestrian, 18.1 percent involved drinking but no drugs, 11.3 percent involved drugs but no drinking, and 10.4 percent involved both drinking and drugs. Of the 301 alcohol-involved fatal crashes, 185 (61.5%) involved one vehicle.

“Please remember, Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. If you plan to drink this St. Patrick’s Day, plan ahead for a safe way home,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s Deputy Administrator.

NHTSA encourages everyone to take the following safety precautions:

– Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Designate a sober driver or a call a ride service to get home safely.

– Never let a friend drive drunk. Arrange a safe and sober way for them to get home.

– If you’re the designated driver, make sure you don’t drink so you can keep that promise of safety to yourself and your passengers.

– Don’t ride in a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking.

– If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement to report the driver.

If you’re hosting a party:

– Make sure all your guests designate their sober drivers in advance.

– Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party.

– Stop serving alcohol a few hours before the end of the party and keep serving non-alcoholic drinks and food.

– Take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving after drinking and get them a ride home.