As we move into March once again, many of us are looking forward to perhaps having a green beer or an Irish whiskey as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Despite its Irish origins, St. Patrick’s Day has become something of an American tradition as well as pubs across the country are packed with revelers who want to take a break with friends and have a good time. While this is for the most part a harmless tradition, it is also one that can lead to disaster for people who are not careful.
Statistics from around the country show that DUI arrests and car accidents tend to rise on St. Patrick’s Day every year, and Alaska is no different from the rest of the country in that regard. If you are going to be celebrating next week, you should probably keep some suggestions in mind that will allow you to enjoy the day safely and hopefully without incident. No one wants to wind up in jail, in the hospital or even worse simply because they made a bad decision.
- Celebrate at Home
Perhaps the only sure-fire way to avoid getting into a car accident on St. Patrick’s Day is to celebrate at home. If you do so, you won’t have to drive anywhere and you can celebrate with family members or anyone else who lives with you. - Designate a Driver
While this suggestion has been made for decades and too many people have accepted this assignment only to consume alcohol anyway, the fact of the matter is that sober drivers save lives and help others avoid legal problems. - Arrange for a Car Service
If you’re going to be driving to different places, it may make sense to avoid having to hire a taxi cab every time you want to move on to a different location. Taxi cabs will be in high demand, so instead hire a car service to drive you to those locations. - Arrange for Lodging
If you’re going to be traveling and you are concerned that you will not be able to arrange for any type of transportation, it may be easier to arrange for lodging either at a hotel or at a friend’s or relative’s home. - Avoid Consuming Alcohol
Of course, the best way to minimize the chance that you will be involved in a car accident on St. Patrick’s Day is to simply avoid consuming alcohol. This will ensure that you and your friends will have a sober driver and that you will not face the possibility of being arrested for DUI.
While all of these ideas are hopefully worth considering for people who will be celebrating next week, the unfortunate reality is that not everyone will drink responsibly. We can’t control the actions of others, and if you or someone you love is injured by a negligent or reckless driver on St. Patrick’s Day, you need to take action. Contact the Alaska injury lawyers at Barber and Associates, LLC to schedule a free initial consultation.