Nighttime driving during the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day holiday was significantly more dangerous than daytime driving, with 38% of drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. being drunk. Almost half (47%) of drivers involved in fatal crashes between the hours of midnight and 2:59 a.m. were drunk. The rate Every year, alcohol-impaired driving casts a shadow over the festive spirit of St. Patrick’s Day by taking the lives of community and family members across America. According to NHTSA, during the St. Patrick’s Day holidays (6 p.m. March 16–5:59 a.m. March 18): 38 per cent of the traffic fatalities between 2018-2022 involved drunk drivers. The following statistics shed light on the dangers associated with drunk driving during this period: Fatalities: Between 2018 and 2022, 290 people lost their lives in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period (from 6 p.m. on March 16 to 5:59 a.m. on March 18). In 2022 alone, there were 74 such fatalities. In 2022 alone, there were 74 drunk-driving fatalities during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, of which 49 involved drivers with a blood alcohol level of almost twice the legal limit (.15+ BAC). In 2022, drivers ages 21-34 (34%) were the age group most involved in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities during this holiday, followed by drivers under During the 2020 St. Patrick’s Day period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), more than a third (36%) of crash fatalities involved a drunk driver. In fact, from 2016 to 2020, 287 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day period. “Please remember, Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. If you plan to drink this St In 2022 alone, there were 74 drunk-driving fatalities during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, of which 49 involved drivers with a blood alcohol level of almost twice the legal limit (.15+ BAC). In 2022 drivers ages 21-34 (34%) were the age group most involved in alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities during this holiday, followed by drivers under According to NHTSA between 2018 and 2022, during the St. Patrick’s Day period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), 38% of all traffic fatalities involved drunk drivers. In 2022 alone, 74 lives were lost nationwide in alcohol-impaired crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period. NHTSA is emphasizing that "buzzed driving is drunk driving" ahead of the holiday. From 2018 to 2022, between 6 p.m. on March 16 through 5:59 a.m. on March 18, 290 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Over the St. Patrick's Day holiday in 2022, 74 people died from alcohol-impaired crashes. there were 74 drunk-driving fatalities during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, of which 49 involved drivers with a blood alcohol level of almost twice the legal limit (.15+ BAC). In 2022 drivers ages 21-34 (34%) were the age group most involved in alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities during this holiday, followed by drivers under 21 (30%). Between 2015 and 2019,280 peoplewere killed in drunk driving incidents during St. Patrick’s Day. It’s estimated that a drunk driving death occursevery 30 minutesduring St. Patrick’s Day. Binge drinking on St. Patrick’s Day takes its toll even if people aren’t behind the wheel: Beer sales increase by 174%on St. Patrick’s Day,while Here are some sobering statistics on the number of car accidents that occur on this day: In the United States, car accidents increase by 25% on St. Patrick’s Day. Drunk driving is involved in nearly 40% of all fatal car accidents on St. Patrick’s Day. The number of car accidents involving alcohol doubles from an average day to St. Patrick With Increased Festivities and Alcohol Consumption, MADD Reminds Everyone to Make Safe Choices on St. Patrick’s Day (Irving, Texas – March 10, 2025) As cities across the country prepare for parades, parties, and pub crawls, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is urging everyone to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day responsibly. With alcohol 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, more than 11,000 people in our country died in drunk-driving crashes, and every single one of those deaths was preventable. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. St. Patrick’s Day can be a dangerous day on America’s roads due to increased alcohol consumption and drunk driving. There were 272 lives lost in drunk-driving crashes over the holiday period (6:00 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18) between 2017 and 2021. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 272 people were killed in drunk driving crashes during the St. Patrick's Day holiday period (from 6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a The statistics are astounding. This St. Patrick’s Day, commit to driving sober. Drunk driving crashes kill thousands of people every year, with a high number of fatalities happening over common drinking days like St. Paddy’s. The pandemic has helped to reduce the overall number of people on the road, but preventable deaths still happen. According to a release, there were seven people arrested for drinking and drivign related offenses over a 24-hour period during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. St. Patrick’s Day is known for its festive celebrations and alcohol-related cultural associations. As with many holidays, St. Patrick’s Day sees a rise in alcohol-related incidents such as arrests and accidents. It is often considered one of the “drinking holidays” that sees a significant increase in drunk driving arrests and injuries This webpage provides a collection of resources and facts about drunk driving prevention during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The page contains graphics, videos, fact sheets, social media messaging, and more.
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