For many Americans March 17th means pints of Guinness or green beer as over 33 million of us celebrate St Patrick’s Day in one way or another.
Whether you’re Irish or not seems to make no difference as St Patrick’s Day is now the fourth most popular drinking holiday, behind New Year’s Eve, Christmas and Independence Day with the festivities seemingly getting more popular year-on-year.
Unfortunately, though, for some it is also a day that can result in errors of judgement as they choose to drink and then get behind the wheel of their vehicle to drive home.
St. Patrick’s Day might all be about drinks, food and merriment, but a DUI/DWI can bring with it misery and pain, not to mention serious consequences; including fines, jail time and even loss of driving privileges.
Over the past five years, law enforcement officers in Minnesota have made 1,192 arrests statewide, according to Minnesota Department of Public Safety, with 136 motorists arrested for drunken driving offences last year alone.
And as always, this year extra patrols will be on the lookout for drivers who have had too much to drink, making St. Patrick’s Day one of the most dangerous nights to be on the state’s roads.
So instead of driving, why not plan alternate transportation in advance? A taxi ride is just a phone call away while public transportation options are also available, some of which is free of charge.
