Drive Responsibly this St. Patrick’s Day

CHICAGO- If you’re traveling by car to St. Patrick’s Day festivities this year, remember to drive responsibly and avoid two of the biggest hazards on the roads today—impaired and distracted driving.

“St. Patrick’s Day can be an especially deadly day on the roads,” said Bob Passmore, PCI’s assistant vice president of personal lines policy. “It’s one of the most popular days for drinking, and unfortunately, that means we typically see a spike in drunk driving crashes on St. Patrick’s Day.”

This year, St. Patrick’s Day road risks will be adding to an already alarming trend, because the United States is seeing some of the largest increases in accidents and fatalities on the roads in 50 years.

“Roadway deaths have been steadily increasing since 2014, and impaired and distracted driving are thought to be some of the leading causes for the rise in vehicle accidents nationwide,” said Passmore. “While safety is always the first concern, these trends also could be hitting consumers’ pocketbooks by putting upward pressure on insurance costs. Raising awareness about these alarming statistics and the continued threat of impaired and distracted driving can help make our roads safer and keep costs down for consumers.”

PCI’s driving safety tips for St. Patrick’s Day include:

• If you’re drinking, designate a sober driver or arrange for a taxi or ride service.

• Don’t let others drive drunk.

• Call 911 if you notice an impaired driver on the road.

• Stay focused on the road—and off your smartphone—when you’re driving.   

• Limit distractions in the car.

“Each of us can make our roads safer every time we get behind the wheel if we commit to driving sober, putting down our smartphones, and making an extra effort to stay focused on the road,” said Passmore. “It’s worth reminding ourselves and our loved ones that making good decisions about when and how we drive can save lives on St. Patrick’s Day and any other day.”