PA Officials Warn Against Drunk Driving On St. Patrick’s Day

SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — When celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, designate a sober driver, officials remind partygoers.

“If you’re the designated driver, make sure you don’t drink so you can keep that promise of safety to yourself and your passengers," Krys Johnson, PennDOT Safety officer, said during a gathering Monday in Upland Borough, Delaware County, hosted by PennDOT, state police, AAA and other organizations.

"It can be a long night, but people are counting on you, not to mention the other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on the streets. So, take the role of a designated driver seriously – people are relying on you.”

During the 2021 St. Patrick’s Day holiday celebration from 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 18, there were 213 crashes involving an impaired driver in Pennsylvania, resulting in nine fatalities, according to PennDOT data.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said St. Patrick’s Day is a day when the community revels in Irish American culture.

“We’re not saying don’t drink alcohol, but if you do drink, give the keys to someone else,” Stollensteimer said.

PennDOT provides these tips:

• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Designated drivers should refrain from drinking any alcohol as impairment begins with the first drink.
• Designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact law enforcement.
• Do you have a friend who has been drinking and is about to drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
• Pedestrians are reminded to practice safe behaviors, including designating a “sober walker” to ensure all parties safely make it to their destination.

“Whether you will be gathering with friends at a house party or on a pub crawl, if alcohol is part of the festivities, make sure you designate a sober driver, consider rideshares such as with Lyft or Uber, or take public transportation to ensure you get home safely,” advises Jana Tidwell, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.