Recognizing that a lot of people have been cooped up for far too long due to the pandemic and the inherent desire to celebrate an occasion that dates back to the founding of our country, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is urging St. Patrick’s Day revelers to be certain to stay safe while celebrating this week.
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have been big for decades, and while this year’s celebrations may look a little different due to the ongoing reach of the pandemic, authorities are asking you to make sure you and your friends mark the occasion safely this St. Patrick’s Day by remembering one important piece of advice: “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.” 
That means if you plan to drink any alcoholic beverage, it is essential that you plan for a sober designated driver beforehand. To help keep the region safe, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to spread the message about the dangers of drunk driving, cautioning that even one drink can be one too many.
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey says, “We understand people are looking for a reason to celebrate, and we want our community members to enjoy the St. Patrick Day celebrations, but we also want to impress upon everyone the importance of safe driving,” and adds, “If you’ve been drinking, make the right choice to find a sober driver to get you, and your friends, home safely. Before you put the keys in the ignition, remind yourself ‘Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.’”
Throughout the United States, during the 2019 St. Patrick Day weekend (6:00 pm March 16th to 5:59 am March 18th), more than three out of five (63-percent) of crash fatalities involved a drunk driver. In fact, from 2015 to 2019, a total of 280 lives were lost in drunk driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day period. Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink. Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly, as lack of attention to one’s surroundings could put pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.
Authorities add that if you’re the designated driver, make sure you keep that promise of safety to yourself and your passengers. It can be a long night, but people are counting on you, not to mention the other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on the streets. Take the role of designated driver seriously. People are relying on you.
For more information about the “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” campaign, visit online at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
