You might find a four leaf clover or a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow on St. Patrick’s Day, but neither of those can protect you from a wrongful death caused by an impaired driver.

This and every St. Patrick’s Day, there are city-wide festivities that involve the consumption of alcohol.  In an article from the East County Magazine and Sheriff Bill Gore, there are several tips and suggestions for avoiding drunk-driving accidents this St. Patrick’s Day.

You can toast to your lads and lassies, but if you drink and drive, then no one gets to kiss the Blarney Stone.

Our firm’s San Diego auto accident lawyers want to be very clear: just because St. Patrick’s Day is a time that many people drink alcohol, it does not mean that it is a time to drive under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.  Catastrophic injuries usually result from DUI accidents that are preventable in the first place, so why even take the chance of getting behind the wheel when you’ve had too much to drink?

“Whether you are meeting a few friends at the local pub after work or attending a local party, if you plan on using alcohol, never drive while impaired—and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired.  Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk,” Sheriff Gore re-iterated in his statement to all of San Diego.

In 2008, San Diego saw 134 fatal crashes due to impaired motorists who were driving at night, intoxicated, and coming home from local celebrations.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 37% of the drivers and motorcyclists had a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.

“Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk,” Sheriff Gore advises everyone.  “Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant.  Don’t depend on dumb luck this St. Patrick’s Day.  Designate your sober driver before the party begins.”

The auto accident lawyers at our San Diego firm would like to team up with local authorities and remind you that if you drink, don’t drive.  If you do, then there is no amount of Irish luck that can stop you from getting arrested or into a serious San Diego car accident.  If you want more information on putting an end to drunk drivers, East County Magazine and Serious Accidents suggest you visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

If you or a loved one were injured in an automobile accident you didn’t cause, then we urge you to contact our bilingual offices as soon as possible at 1-858-551-2090 or please click here for a FREE consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in San Diego.  We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe us nothing until we recover money on your behalf.

San Diego Sheriff Department suggestions for staying safe for St. Patrick’s Day 2010:

  1. Before the celebrations start, have a safe route home. That means, no drinking at all so that you can get home safely or have a designated driver handle that.
  2. Should you become too intoxicated to drive, call one of the following: a taxi, a friend, a family member.
  3. Communities’ Sober Rides programs and public transportation are also safe and effective ways to get home.
  4. Call the police if you see drunk drivers on the road. Some signs are unsafe lane changes, speeding or slowing outside the posted limit, or even driving in the opposite direction of traffic.
  5. If you are the designated driver, take away the car keys of all in your party who will be drinking and do not give them back until they have reached the front door of their house when you drop them off.