Warwick Police helped get people home safe this St. Patrick’s Day by giving free rides home. According to a WPRI news report, police teamed up with the Citizens Police Academy for a second year in a row to give St. Paddy’s Day partiers complimentary rides home. This year, seven participants took part in the Safe Rides Program. Volunteers were on standby to assist in getting patrons home safely. The goal of the program is to eliminate the risk of drunk drivers on the roads. However, those who do not participate heighten the likelihood of a car accident on the Warwick roadways.

Warwick RI Police officer giving free rides

Why Is This Program Needed?

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DUI-related car crashes account for about 36 percent of highway deaths nationwide of young people age 16 to 24 per year. The rate of drunk driving is highest among 26- to 29-year-olds. In 2014, 18 people were killed in DUI crashes on St. Patrick’s Day.

NHTSA reports that the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period is one of the deadliest in the year. Nearly half of all car crash fatalities during this period involve drunk drivers. From 2010 to 2014, almost three-fourths of the DUI fatalities during this holiday period involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of well over 0.08 percent. In 2013, 32 lives were lost on St. Patrick’s Day as a result of DUI crashes.

What are Some Important Things to Remember?

bar on st. patrick's dayWhether it’s St. Patrick’s Day or just any other special day or celebration, it is important to remember that drinking and driving can result in devastation. Here are few crucial things to remember:

  • There’s no such thing as drinking and being “OK to drive.” Even if you’ve had just one drink, play it safe and don’t drive. Buzzed driving is drunk driving.
  • The rate at which alcohol affects you depends on factors such as body weight, the food you ate and how quickly you consumed the drinks.
  • Walking home drunk is not safe either. In 2014, 35 percent of pedestrians killed in crashes had BACs of 0.08 or higher. If you have been partying, get a sober friend to walk you home.
  • Be a responsible citizen. If you see someone driving drunk, call 911 and describe the vehicle to law enforcement. Getting drunk drivers off the road saves lives.
  • If you know someone who is about to drive drunk or ride with someone who is impaired, help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely. Take the keys away from anyone who is drunk and wants to drive.

Contact a Warwick Car Accident Lawyer

Warwick car accident lawyerIf you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact one of our experienced Warwick car accident lawyers located at 88F Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI 02888. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, among other losses. No fees are received unless you win your case. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call us at 401-490-6907 or toll free at 1-800-992-6878. You may also fill out our contact form online.

Author Photo

Paul d’Oliveira

Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.

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