With Saint Patrick’s Day quickly approaching, you may already be getting excited about planning green outfits, drinking green beer and attending some majorly wild parties. However, there is one thing that most people don’t consider while planning for this festive holiday: safety.
1. Don’t Drink and Drive
This should be obvious, but unfortunately, many people do not make smart decisions while drinking. The DUI rate is alarmingly high on Saint Patrick’s Day, and cops often set up DUI checkpoints to catch people on their way home from bars and parties. Therefore, not only is having a sober driver important for safety reasons, but for legal reasons as well. Whether it’s a Las Vegas police officer or an Albany accident attorney in New York, they both will inform you that making the mistake of driving drunk one time could potentially end your life, end or harm the life of someone else, or ruin your finances and driving record for a very long time. To make sure you don’t make the mistake of driving while your inhibitions are low, bring along a designated driver or take a cab to and from your party location.
2. Enjoy a Big Meal Before Going Out
As fun as it can be to have fun while partying with your friends, you don’t want to suffer the pain and nausea of a terrible hangover the next morning. You also don’t want to become too intoxicated, lose control and end up doing something foolish. One way to avoid this is to enjoy a large meal before going out, particular one that includes breads or pastas, which can soak up some of the alcohol and make it affect you less.
3. Consider Being a Designated Driver
One of the reasons some people end up drinking and driving is that they do not know anyone who is willing to come out with them as a designated driver. If you trust in your ability to go out and have a good time while resisting the temptation to drink, you should consider being a designated driver for your group of friends. You won’t have as wild a time as you would if you were drinking, but you can still dance, socialize and enjoy yourself, all while knowing that you’re doing a good deed by looking after your friends and making the roads safer place for everyone.
4. Watch For Those Who Are Out of Control
Saint Patrick’s Day tends to be one of the worst nights of the year for drinking and partying, right up there with New Years Eve, Halloween and Independence Day. This means that there will be plenty of people making bad decisions. If you are going out to a crowded event, be sure to stay aware of your surroundings and watch for any suspicious behavior in those around you. Never leave your drink unattended, not even for a moment. If you are the designated driver, be extra careful on the road and watch out for reckless drivers or pedestrians who may be careless about walking into the street without checking for cars, especially if you are driving through a busy downtown district with a lot of bars and restaurants.
There will always be occasions where people drink too much and make terrible choices, especially during celebratory events. You can never guarantee 100 percent safety, but if you stay aware and make smart choices, there is a good chance that your evening will be smooth, safe and a whole lot of fun.
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