ATLANTA— St. Patrick’s Day is quickly approaching, and the Georgia State Patrol is urging partygoers to keep safety a top priority during this year’s festivities. “Driving impaired is dangerous and not worth the risk of killing yourself or someone else,” said Colonel Mark W. McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. If you consume alcohol during your celebrations, make sure you designate a sober driver before the party begins. “If you don’t have a designated driver, call a taxi, a friend, or a family member to help you get home safely,” he added.

Impaired driving is one of the leading contributing factors in a majority of the fatal traffic crashes that troopers investigate. Careful planning can prevent alcohol related traffic deaths. “Party hosts, as well as partygoers can greatly aid in the effort to reduce the number of drunk drivers on our highways, and it begins with planning your event carefully,” Colonel McDonough said. Hosts should serve lots of food, non-alcoholic beverages, make sure their guests designate sober drivers, and have the phone number for local cab companies readily available to those who may need them.

If you suspect someone is driving impaired, do not hesitate to notify local law enforcement. Also if you see someone who is about to drive impaired, try to help them make other arrangements to get home. The Georgia State Patrol takes saving lives seriously. "Troopers will be conducting roadchecks and high visibility patrols across the state watching for not only impaired drivers, but also seat belt violators, speeders, and other traffic violations that could potentially cause a traffic crash,” Colonel McDonough said.

Contact Information:

DPS Public Information Office - (404) 624-7597