With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, police departments in Berks County are teaming with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to spread the message about the dangers of drunken driving.
St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest times on the nation’s roads. According to NHTSA, 38% of the traffic fatalities that occurred during the St. Patrick’s Day holidays between 2019 and 2023 involved drunken drivers. In 2023, there were 63 fatalities in drunken driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
“Embracing St. Patrick’s Day and its traditions is one thing; engaging in the deadly behavior that is drinking and driving is another,” said Exeter Township police Sgt. David Bentz, who also is the Berks County coordinator for the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program. “Feeling buzzed and getting behind the wheel puts lives at risk.”
If your St. Paddy’s plans involve alcohol, make sure you plan for a sober driver, Bentz said The most important step is arranging for a sober ride in advance — whether that means designating a sober driver, using a taxi service or booking a rideshare.
“Our community has seen firsthand the devastation and loss caused by alcohol-impaired driving, along with the lasting pain it inflicts on families, friends and entire communities,” he said.
For more information on impaired driving, visit nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.