Motorists Reminded to Save Their Green by Not Driving Drunk

Drivers will see plenty of green leaving their wallets if they make the foolish and illegal decision to drink and drive while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

St. Patrick’s Day is Saturday and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is joining the Safe and Sober Driving Coalition TEAM Georgia, the Georgia Department of Public Safety and the Georgia Department of Transportation to encourage everyone to plan ahead for a sober ride if their St. Patrick’s celebration is going to include alcohol.

The Georgia State Patrol and local law enforcement officers statewide will keep their zero tolerance policy by taking all drunk and drugged drivers they find on the road to jail this weekend and every day of the year.

Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Deputy Director Jim Andrews says there are a number of ways to make sure you have a safe and fun St. Patty’s day.

“We understand that St. Patrick’s Day is an occasion that many adults chose to celebrate by drinking alcohol,” he said.  “But if you do, don’t get behind the wheel of a vehicle. When you are making your plans this week for what you are going to do this weekend, make sure those plans include a sober driver. Whether it is a designated driver, friend, ride service like UBER, Lyft or taxi cap, or AAA’s Tow-To-G0, you have options that make sure you and everyone will get home safely.”

The Georgia Department of Public Safety, which includes the Georgia State Patrol, Capitol Police and the Motor Carrier Compliance Division, made 201 DUI arrests in Georgia over a three-day period during last year’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

Sgt. John Cronin is the Post Commander for the Georgia State Patrol DUI Nighthawks Metro Atlanta Division.

Cronin says with St. Patrick’s Day falling on Saturday this year, law enforcement will be increasing efforts to take all impaired drivers off the road.

“If you don’t heed the warning that all of us up here are asking you t do and if you don’t plan, the State Patrol and other local agencies will be on the roads to reinforce what we are telling you today” Cronin explained. “Whether it is rainy or clear, we will be out there. We will be conducting vehicle stops and we will be taking you to jail. Your weekend will end in the jail and we are doing that to keep your life from ending on the roadways.”

Preliminary data from the Georgia Department of Transportation shows 17 people died, and almost 1,600 were injured in more than 4700 crashes on Georgia roadways from March 16-19 last year.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths in Georgia has increased by 32 percent in just two years.

There were 368 alcohol-related traffic deaths in Georgia in 2016 compared to 279 in 2014.