AAA: When Hops and Hoops Collide, How are You Getting Home?

Richmond, Virginia (Friday, March 15, 2019) - With St. Patrick’s Day falling on the same day as the NCAA basketball tournament’s “Selection Sunday”, no one will have trouble finding a reason to party this weekend. AAA is warning party-goers and sports fans to have a game plan for getting home if drinking alcohol is involved.

Since both days typically align with drinking, it could be an especially dangerous weekend on Virginia roads. “Anyone who plans to drink this weekend should also plan for a designated driver, ride share or some other safe option that will keep you, your friends and everyone else from undue risk,” advised Tammy Arnette, Senior Public Affairs Specialist for AAA.. “The luck of the Irish isn’t enough to get you home safe.”

During the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day holiday weekend (Friday, March 16 - Sunday, March 18), 91 alcohol related crashes occurred in Virginia, according to crash data provided by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Sadly, six people died and 57 others suffered injuries.  

"Sadly, six people died during the St. Patrick's holiday weekend last year on Virginia roadways due to alcohol related crashes," said Arnette.  "The decision to drink and drive is a fatal one.  Just don't do it.  There are plenty of options to get home safely.  Planning is key."  

AAA offers the following steps to have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day and Selection Sunday celebration:

• Before heading out the door to a house party or favorite pub, decide whether you’ll drink or you’ll drive – you can’t do both.
• If you will drink, designate a sober, reliable driver to get you home safely or plan to call a taxi, ride share, sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
• If you plan on driving, commit to staying sober.
• If you see a driver on the road that you suspect is impaired, pull over to a safe spot and call 911, giving police a description of the vehicle.
• And remember, if you see people who are about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

If you’re hosting a party, here are tips for being a responsible host:

• Offer non-alcoholic beverages as an option. Festive mocktail recipes are available at aaa.com/mocktails
• Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
• Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before your guests start to leave for home.
• If necessary, take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 59 million members nationwide and more than one million members in Virginia.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.