In an attempt to reduce impaired driving and pedestrian crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, Carbon County police are teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“We understand people are looking for a reason to celebrate, and we want our community members to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, but we also want to impress upon everyone the importance of safe driving,” said officer Joel Gulla, Lehighton Police Department and Carbon County Coordinator for the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program.

“If you’ve been drinking, make the right choice to find 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, 10,142 people were killed in drunken-driving crashes in 2019. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2015 to 2019 - one person was killed in a drunken-driving crash every 52 minutes in 2019.

This is why Carbon County police are working with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunken driving is not only illegal, it is a matter of life and death.

During the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), almost half (46%) of crash fatalities involved a drunken driver. In fact, from 2015 to 2019, a total of 280 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day period.

Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink. Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly, as lack of attention to their surroundings could put pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.

“Drunken drivers are a continuing problem on our nation’s roads, especially around days like St. Patrick’s Day,” Gulla said. “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.”

Before ever heading out, it’s vital to plan ahead as follows:

• Remember that it is never OK to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.

• If available, use your community’s sober ride program, Uber or Lyft If you see a drunken driver on the road, contact 911.

• Do you have a friend who has been drinking and is about to drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

For more information about the Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving campaign, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.