This St. Patrick's Day, Don't Rely on Luck - Designate a Sober Driver

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, and it's not the luck of the Irish that will keep the roads safe--it's planning ahead for a safe and sober way home. On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, *37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above*, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

For many Americans, St. Patrick's Day has become a popular night out for drinking and celebrating with friends and family. Unfortunately, some of these people might also be driving home from their festivities and therefore, the night out has also become potentially dangerous.

Let's remind everyone about the importance of remembering to: Plan ahead and designate a sober driver before you leave for your event. Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi. Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

Even if you will not be celebrating this St. Patrick's Day, keep in mind that* in 2009, 1,119 occupants of other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers*, so pay attention to others on the road. And remember, you don't have to be falling down drunk to be too impaired to drive safely. Even a few drinks can impair driving and a buzzed driving crash has the same consequences as a drunk driving crash.

NHTSA needs your help in keeping the roads safe for everyone this St. Patrick's Day by spreading the word that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

To spread the word about the impact buzzed driving can have on a life, please post one of *our new St. Patrick's Day posters*<Facebook St Patrick's Day>to your Facebook wall or blog. And follow *Buzzed Driving on Facebook*<Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving>.

Remember: Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. Don't rely on dumb luck this St. Patrick's Day. Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.