Be A Sober Saint On Irish Day

Angels Camp, CA – Even the luck of the Irish can run out when a driver gets behind the wheel impaired.

This St. Patrick’s Day Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties will be deploying officers for another Avoid the 2 DUI Task Force.  (Click here for a previous article about the task force.)  Several additional roving DUI patrols will be out in different areas throughout the counties.

In 2013, there were 31 people killed in drunk-driving crashes on St. Patrick’s Day, according to the latest statistics provided by Angels Camp Police, which also found that from 2009 to 2013 almost three-fourths of the fatalities involved drivers who were twice the legal limit.  Additionally, the department warns buzzed driving is drunk driving.  Here is its party-planning checklist to stay safe on St. Patrick’s Day:

• DDVIP: The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices.  Launched last year the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California.  Users can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab.  Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen.
• NOW: Even if you don’t have plans yet, plan to drive sober or designate someone else to. Save the number of a taxi company in your phone so you always have a backup plan.
• WHEN YOU MAKE PLANS: A sober driver is an essential part of any party plan.  Once you know where you’ll celebrate, decide whether you’re drinking or driving.  You can only choose one.
• ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Before you take your first sip of green beer, leave your keys at home or give them to a friend.  If you’re the designated driver, don’t drink.  Enjoy non-alcoholic beverages and brag about your VIP (very important partygoer) status online using the hashtag #designateddriver.  Only drive sober or ride with a sober driver.
• EVERY DAY: If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely.  If available, use your community’s free ride program [Insert your Local Free Ride Program Specifics Here].  If you know people who are about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
• DRUGS, MEDICATION & ALCOHOL= CRASHES: Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.  A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).  Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

Funding for the Avoid the 2 DUI Task Force comes from a state grant.  The next dual task force operation will be on Cinco de Mayo.