NEWS RELEASE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
*************************
St. Patrick’s Day 2025 celebrations will take place across the country on and around Monday, March 17. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges drivers to remember that drinking and driving is deadly and never an option. Join NHTSA and the Michigan Sate Police in sharing this message: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
Every year, alcohol-impaired driving casts a shadow over the festive spirit of St. Patrick’s Day by taking the lives of community and family members across America. According to NHTSA, during the St. Patrick’s Day holidays (6 p.m. March 16–5:59 a.m. March 18):
- 38 per cent of the traffic fatalities between 2018-2022 involved drunk drivers.
- Drunk male drivers were involved in fatal crashes at a higher rate (29 per cent) during compared to female drivers (14%).
- Young drivers aged 21-34 accounted for the highest percentage (34 per cent) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes.
- The rate of drunk passenger car drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were 34 per cent and 41 per cent, respectively.
Embracing St. Patrick’s Day and its traditions is one thing; engaging in the deadly behavior that is drinking and driving is another. If a driver finds they are unable to drive, they should give their keys to a sober driver so that person can get them home safely. When a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive — take away the keys and help them get a sober ride home. If anyone spots a drunk driver, contact local law enforcement.
Drive 100 per cent sober, because Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.
The goal is zero fatalities and serious injuries on Michigan roads through the implementation of the Safe System Approach. Since last week, 23 people died on Michigan roadways making a total of 135 this year. In addition, 59 more were seriously injured for a statewide total of 623 to date. Compared to last year at this time, there are 18 fewer fatalities and 27 more serious injuries.
Numbers are provided by the Michigan State Police.
Our mission is to move Toward Zero Deaths on Michigan roads through the implementation of the Safe System Approach. Learn more at www.Michigan.gov/ZeroDeaths.
***************************
