Peekskill Police Chief: Take Steps to Drive Safely on St. Patrick's Day

Editor's Note: The following release was submitted by the Peekskill police department. If you would like to post your news to Patch, click here.

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As St. Patrick's Day approaches; the City of Peekskill Police Department is reminding drivers not to get behind the wheel if they've been drinking.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationreports over 700 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving a drunk driver during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday from 2006 to 2010.

“Whether you are gathering with friends at the local pub or attending a party, if alcohol is part of the festivities, make sure you designate a sober driver to get you home safely, or contact your local taxi company for a safe ride home,” said Chief Eric Johansen.

According to NHTSA, on average, every 51 minutes a person is killed in a drunk-driving crash in the United States and the majority of these crashes involve drunk drivers who have blood alcohol concentrations of .15 grams per deciliter or higher, almost twice the legal limit of .08 g/dL.

To prevent these tragedies from occurring, Chief Johansen recommends the following steps to have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home. If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local police.
• And remember, if you know people who are about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely