On Saint Patrick’s Day, the California Highway Patrol is encouraging drinking and driving at the Infineon Raceway as part of the St. Patrick’s Day Sobriety Challenge. The event features a wine and beer tasting demonstration to showcase the affects of alcohol consumption on driving performance, even when the blood alcohol content is under the legal limit. The event was planned for St. Patrick’s Day because it is known as one of the most notorious days for alcohol drinking. 37% of drivers and motorcyclists in fatal crashes on St. Patrick’s Day had a BAC above or at the legal limit. In 2009, 103 crash fatalities occurred on St. Patrick’s Day, and 47 people were killed in collisions involving a drunk driver.
According to news reports, students, business owners, and local professionals will participate in the event. “Holidays such as St. Patrick’s Day are a great opportunity to educate the public on the dangers of drinking and driving, and to emphasize the CHP’s ongoing commitment to DUI enforcement,” said CHP Officer Jaret Paulson. “California has seen a reduction in DUI activities and we are hopeful that this is a reflection of greater public awareness of the consequences of Drinking and Driving and the true need for a Designated Driver.”
As a Long Beach personal injury lawyer, I hope this event brings more awareness to the dangers of drinking and driving. If you or a loved one were hurt in an auto accident caused by reckless driving, discuss your case with a car accident lawyer.
