Sobriety Checkpoints for St. Patrick's Day Weekend

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Release: Prince William County Police Department

From 2008 to 2012, almost half the men killed in crashes on St. Patrick’s Day died in drunk-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

As a result, Prince William County police officers will be out in full force from Friday, March 13, through St. Patrick’s Day – Tuesday, March 17 – enforcing the law and arresting drunk drivers for their safety as well as for the safety of the public.

Planning to celebrate? Always designate a sober driver before the party begins, and never let friends drive drunk. These are just two of several simple steps to help avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for impaired driving. Other important tips include:

• Plan ahead: Whenever you plan on consuming alcohol, designate your sober driver before going out and give that person your keys;
  
• If you’re impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely;
• Use the Sober Ride program. Call WRAP Sober Ride at 1-800-200-TAXI, for a free ride home (up to $30 fare). This St. Patrick’s Day, the service is offered from 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17th through 4 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18th. You must be 21 or older to use the Sober Ride service.
• Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement by calling 911 if danger is imminent, or the police non-emergency number: 703-792-6500;
• If you know someone who is about to drive (or ride) while impaired, take his or her keys and make other arrangements to get them safely where they are going, Remember, “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk”; and
• Always make sure you and your passengers are wearing a seat belt, and that children are in an approved child safety seat. This is YOUR best defense against a drunk driver.

Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving impaired can be significant. Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, expensive attorney’s fees, unpaid time away from work, and dozens of other expenses.

Don’t push your luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Remember, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.”