Pocono Twp. Sgt. urges locals to drive safe St. Patrick's Day weekend

Ashley Catherine Fontones, Pocono Record
·3 min read

Police departments in the Poconos are teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety administration to spread the message about dangers of drunk driving.

"If your plans for the holiday include alcohol, make sure you plan for a sober driver. Help us spread the message that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving." a press release said.

“This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday, and that means more parties throughout the weekend,” Pocono Township Police Department Sgt. Eric Rath said in the release.

Rath is also Monroe County Coordinator for the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program.

Stroudsburg's annual St. Patrick's Day parade is Sunday.

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“If you’ve been drinking, make the smart choice to plan for a sober driver to get you and your friends home safely. Before you put your keys in the ignition, remind yourself: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.“

"According to NHTSA, 11,654 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2020. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2016 to 2020," The release continues, noting that one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 45 minutes in 2020.

In Pennsylvania over St. Patrick’s Day in 2022, (including weekends before and after the holiday), there were 313 impaired driving crashes and 4 people lost their lives, according to the PA DUI Association.

When it comes to St. Patrick's Day weekend, don't be a statistic.

"St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest times on our nation’s roads. During the 2016-2020 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), 287 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes. In 2020 alone, 37 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18)." The press release states.

Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink.

Rath encourages those who plan to celebrate this weekend to have a transportation plan. Have a sober designated driver, before you even start drinking. If a drunk friend tries to get behind the wheel, take their keys away and help them find a sober driver to get them home safe. Utilize ride share programs, a taxi service, UBER or Lyft. If you're this year's designated driver, take your job seriously. If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911.

“Drunk drivers are a continuing problem on our nation’s roads, especially around days like St. Patrick’s Day,” said Rath. “People need to know that they can go out for a night of fun and return home safely by ensuring they have a sober driver take them home. Don’t be the reason someone — including yourself — doesn’t get home. Don’t let St. Patrick’s Day become an anniversary of a tragic night.”

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Pocono Twp. Sgt. urges locals to drive safe St. Patrick's Day weekend