St. Patrick's Day can be a fun holiday, but it has, unfortunately, become known as a potentially deadly one. What do people do on St. Patrick's Day? They wear green and attend parades. They eat corned beef and cabbage . . . And they drink. While there is nothing wrong with an adult consuming an alcoholic beverage, drinking and driving do not mix.
Celebrating Responsibly
In order to make St. Patrick's Day safer for everyone, have your safety plan in place well before you attend your first party or parade. It will help if all of your friends are also on board with establishing a responsible St. Patrick's Day system.
- Have at least one designated driver. This is absolutely crucial. Having someone in your group who is committed to staying sober for the entirety of the evening will ensure that everyone has a chance to get home safely. If your group is large enough, try to get two or more people to volunteer for this role.
- Know your limits and make sure to eat. You should never be behind the wheel if you are even the slightest bit intoxicated. However, you will also want to avoid having a non-vehicle related accident such as slipping on slick pavement or tripping over stairs. Maintaining a full stomach will help to minimize the effects of the alcohol you consume.
- Keep an eye on your drink. Again, you shouldn't be driving if you are even remotely under the influence of alcohol. However, if you plan on having only one beer, waiting a couple of hours, then driving home, you should be okay unless someone manages to tamper with your drink.Sadly, if you are in a public place, there is a chance that someone will try to put some sort of drug in your beverage when you're not looking. The last thing you want to do is end up behind the wheel of a car after being given an unknown mind-altering substance.
- Use extra caution on the roads even if you are sober. You may be acting responsibly on St. Patrick's Day, but there is no guarantee that everyone else will also be doing the right thing. Don't spend more time commuting than is absolutely necessary, and be on the lookout for swerving cars and drivers who may have accidently veered into the wrong lane.
Even though St. Patrick's Day is heavily associated with drinking, it is entirely possible to have a great time and celebrate the holiday without touching a single drop. To have the safest St. Paddy's possible, try hosting an alcohol-free gathering. Make lime sherbet punch the star of the show, and just enjoy spending some quality time with your friends and family.
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