Beavercreek, Ohio – Drivers will notice an increased law enforcement presence on the roadways in Beavercreek on March 17 and 18, 2021 as the Beavercreek Police Department conducts a St. Patrick’s Day blitz.
The police department is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to crack down on speeding and drunk driving, and to keep people safe on the city’s roads.
According to NHTSA, 10,142 people were killed in drunk-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 drunk-driving crash every 52 minutes in 2019.
During the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day weekend alone (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), more than three out of five (63%) crash fatalities involved a drunk 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.
If you’re the designated driver, make sure you keep that promise of safety to yourself and your passengers.
Party with a Plan
Before ever heading out, it’s vital to plan ahead. Follow these ideas to ensure you and your fellow partygoers stay safe.
- Remember, it is never okay 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 you see a drunk driver on the road and it’s an emergency, call 911. If it’s not an emergency, call the Beavercreek Police Department’s non-emergency line at 937-426-1225.
- 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.
Please follow these tips to ensure everyone gets home safely this Saint Patrick’s Day.