Every year, dozens of people are killed when they choose to drive drunk during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. According to NHTSA, 38% (284) of the traffic fatalities that occurred during the St. Patrick’s Day holidays between 2019-2023 involved drunk drivers. In 2023 alone, there were 63 fatalities in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, of which 44 involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .15 or higher.

There were 290 people killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holidays 6 p.m. March 16 – 5:59 a.m. March 18) between 2018-2022. During the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day holiday, 74 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.

• Drunk male drivers were involved in fatal crashes at a higher rate (29%) during the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day holiday compared to female drivers (14%).
• Young drivers ages 21-34 accounted for the highest percentage (34%) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes during the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
• 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 of drunk passenger car drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes during the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day holiday were 34% and 41%, respectively.

🌈Luck is great, but planning is best. NCPD reminds everyone to line up your sober ride home before the celebration starts.🌈

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