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Everyone seems to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. There are the traditional parades, block parties, the “wearing of the green”, restaurant/bar parties, and even green beer. The color of the beer may be different, but the effects of it are the same – an increase in DUIs. 

According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) between 2009 and 2013, 276 people died in drunk-driving crashes over St. Patrick’s Day weekends. In 2013 alone, two out of five crash fatalities in the United States that occurred during this time involved DUIs. The most dangerous driving times were between midnight and 5:59 a.m. the following day. 

The NHTSA says there is a “lucky charm.” That “lucky charm” is a sober driver. In addition, the agency offers the following tips: 

• If you wait until you've been drinking alcohol on St. Patrick's Day to decide how you'll get home, you're not OK to drive.
• Even if you've only had a couple of drinks, you may be impaired and shouldn't drive. Remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving.
• In every state, it is illegal to drive while impaired by alcohol. Impairment begins before the .08 blood alcohol concentration limit set by every state.
• If you're impaired, use a taxi or ride-hailing service; call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
• If you know someone who is about to drive drunk or ride with someone who is impaired, help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely. If a friend is drunk and wants to drive, take the keys away. Don't worry about offending someone; they'll thank you later.
• Think cab fare is too expensive? Worried about your car being towed or ticketed if you leave it somewhere overnight? Those are weak excuses considering the average driving under the influence citation costs about $10,000. Wouldn't you rather pay for a taxi? 

AAA South is again offering its “Tow To Go” service during St. Patrick’s Day. Click here for more information: Tow To Go 

“We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., wish everyone a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day, and encourage those who party to plan ahead and not drive drunk. Our experience has been that drunk drivers cause very serious accidents that harm themselves and others. These accidents are preventable, but only if pre-planning is done,” says Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey.

Hurt By Drunk Driver Attorney, , Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.