PSA: Safe Holiday Driving

St. Patrick's day is coming up next week. Will you be heading out to celebrate the holiday? Even if you aren't, you may be sharing the road with those returning from a St. Patrick's Day event. Unfortunately, many of those people may have gotten themselves buzzed prior to driving home. Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving, and the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead.

Before you go to any event, be sure to designate a sober driver. If your DD is drinking, find a different one, or call a new ride. You can also take alternative transportation, such as a bus or taxi. In some metro areas (I know this is true in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area) you can get free rides on St. Patrick's day.

Even if you don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day, remember that in 2008, 1,179 people in other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. So it's an issue important to all of us, whether or not we'll be out drinking.


"Global Influence is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council as they continue their efforts with the 'Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving' PSA campaign. Buzzed drivers drink and drive, but do not consider themselves a hazard on the roadway because they have had 'only a few' drinks. The campaign hopes to educate people that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that 'Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.' "

They've set up a video to help learn about how buzzed driving can impact a life. You can watch it here. You can also visit Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving on Facebook and Twitter.