The numbers are staggering. Too high to even be considered among sober company. That’s because these folks weren’t sober. They were just the opposite. Drunk. A far cry from enjoying a sober St. Paddy’s Day.
According to the NHTSA, every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 39 minutes. In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2020. These deaths were all of course preventable.
it’s illegal in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 or higher, except in Utah where the BAC limit is .05.
Don’t think for a moment though that a lower BAC means you’re good to go-go. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability. In 2021, there were 2,266 people killed in alcohol-related crashes where a driver had a BAC of .01 to .07 g/dL.
Sip on that fact for a minute.
Responsible behavior: BEING A RESPONSIBLE DRIVER IS SIMPLE: IF YOU ARE DRINKING, DO NOT DRIVE
Plan your safe ride home before you start the party, choose a non-drinking friend as a designated driver.
If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys and help them arrange a sober ride home.
If you drink, do not drive for any reason. Call a taxi, a ride-hailing service, or a sober friend.
If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.
Always wear your seat belt — it’s your best defense against impaired drivers.
If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement. Your actions could help save someone’s life.
Some Sobering Tips
These sobering tips come from Marie Garceau, a substance abuse disorder specialist writing for the Osceola News-Gazette. And they make great common sense.
Remind yourself why you are sober, and don’t do it alone. You can still have fun and celebrate but do it with other sober people. Everyone has their reasons why they stopped drinking; remind yourself of those reasons and hold yourself accountable.
Know your triggers; it doesn’t matter if you are a recovering addict or have removed alcohol from your life. Be cautious around possible triggers that pose a challenge. Most people in this situation choose to skip the bar and find something fun to do or go to a sober celebration.
Keep a non-alcoholic drink or mocktail in your hand. People will not bother you to ask if you want a drink if you already have something to sip on, like a mocktail. This also leads to planning how to say no. You will encounter social pressure if you go to a bar on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s unavoidable. It’s wise to practice ways to refuse alcohol.
Finally, if all else fails, take a walk outside if you feel overwhelmed. The most straightforward solutions are usually the best. Remove yourself from any situation you know will lead to relapse. This is also why it’s essential to be with a sober friend or loved one; there is accountability and someone to lean on.
Like we said, great common sense. And certainly something to consider if you’re planning on a sober St. Paddy’s Day.
Sober St. Paddy’s Day
Enjoying a sober St. Paddy’s Day may take some effort, but when all is said and done it’ll be well worth it. Just imagine being the designated driver who got all your friends and family members home safe and sound. Think about how that would feel. Now think about the accidents that you potentially prevented from being that go-to driver.
So, if you’re partying this St. Paddy’s Day, please consider keeping it sober. Heck, a colorful six pack of non-alcoholic beer will make you the life of the party! It might get other folks thinking along sober lines too. Whatever the case, a sober St. Paddy’s Day can be just as fun as a drunken one. If you take into consideration the damage a drunken St. Pat’s does to your body, it may be even more fun.
Healing Properties thanks the NHTSA and the Osceola News-Gazette’s Marie Garceau for providing such succinct and effective ammo for this exploration into a sober St. Paddy’s Day. May they both enjoy the fruits of their robust labors.
Image courtesy Sober St. Patrick’s Day.