Drunk driving spikes on St. Patrick's Day
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — St. Patrick's Day is a time for celebration, but for local law enforcement, it can also be a time for concern.
It's a holiday known for parades, parties and oftentimes lots of drinking. Beyond the festivities, year after year, St. Patrick's Day sees a spike in drunk driving incidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2016-2020 more than 280 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick's Day period.
Lieutenant Jeremy Burkett, with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, explains that a lack of planning frequently leads to impaired driving. He says, they try to have targeted enforcement on days, like today, with historically increased rates of drunk driving.
Lt. Burkett also emphasized the idea that buzzed driving is still drunk driving saying, 'Whatever you consumed, if you're buzzed, meaning if you've consumed a certain amount of alcohol where you feel different, than you are different, and you may drive different.'
Lt. Burkett also described some of the dangers that come with buzzed driving, saying, 'Normally you would stop at a stop sign. Now it's no big deal. I'm going to go through the stop sign or… hey, that light is yellow. Normally you would slow down. You wouldn't try to go through the red light. Now it's yellow… I think I can make it through there. Those are the types of issues… the types of behaviors that we see as a factor when people consume alcoholic beverages… and they get behind the wheel.'
Officials urge those celebrating to keep their friends accountable. This includes discouraging those around you from drinking and driving or contacting law enforcement if you are concerned.
Lt. Burkett added that they want people to enjoy themselves and celebrate, as long as they do so responsibly.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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