According to statistics released by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ Highway Safety Office, 75 percent of alcohol-related traffic crashes during last year's St. Patrick's Day took place between 4 p.m. and 3 a.m. The majority of these accidents occurred in Northern Virginia.
The Leesburg Police Department recommended the following to ensure a safe St. Patrick’s Day:
- Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
- Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home;
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement;
- And if you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2008, there were 134 traffic fatalities on St. Patrick’s Day. Fifty of these fatalities were related to a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.
Captain Tracy Russillo, VSP Fairfax Division Commander, announced that an increased enforcement operation would begin on the afternoon of March 17. It will include both DUI and HOV enforcement.
“Friends don’t let friends drive drunk. And don’t rely on the luck of the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day to get you home safely or out of an arrest if you’ve been drinking and driving,” said Russillo.
The Washington Area Alcohol Program is offering a St. Patrick’s Day SoberRide program from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. To receive a free ride home (up to a $50 fee), call 800-200-8294 or text #8294 (TAXI) on an AT&T wireless phone. Loudoun Yellow Cab is among the participating taxi companies. For more information, visit www.soberride.com
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