Share this
Twitter
Myspace
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Export PDF
Print
E-mail
Tags
BY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
There is a dark side to the bright green of St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and public safety officials want New Jerseyans to be aware of it.
On St. Patrick’s Day weekend of last year, March 12-13, a driver with a staggering blood alcohol content of .255 was one of five motorists, along with three pedestrians, killed on New Jersey roads.
Public safety officials Thursday urged revelers to exercise caution if they are planning to consume alcohol during their celebrations.
“There’s simply no excuse for drinking and driving,” state Highway Traffic Safety Director Gary Poedubicky said. “If you plan to attend a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at a local restaurant, tavern or residence, make sure you have a designated driver before heading out. You’ll not only be ensuring your safety, but the safety of everyone else who is sharing the road with you.”
Poedubicky noted that pedestrian fatalities have seen an uptick in New Jersey in recent years. He said so far in 2012, 28 pedestrians have been killed, a tally that is just one death off the pace of 29 in 2011, when 144 pedestrians lost their lives.
“Motorists must be alert to pedestrians year-round, and in particular on nights when celebrations are taking place and people may be drinking alcohol,” Poedubicky said. “If you’re intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive you to your doorstep.”
State Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Michael Halfacre called for responsibility from parade and pub-goers this weekend and said his agency’s investigation and enforcement team would be in bars and restaurants making sure licensees were carding drinkers and not serving patrons to the point of intoxication.
“Over-consumption of alcohol can lead to deadly consequences, not just on St. Patrick's Day, but every day," Halfacre said. "The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is asking patrons to be aware of the amount of alcohol they consume and reminding establishments that serve alcohol that it is their responsibility not to serve intoxicated patrons.”
People attending a St. Patrick’s Day celebration are reminded to use mass transit, a cab or car service to get to and from their destination. Immediately report drunk drivers and drunk pedestrians to police. Never let a friend drive drunk. If you know someone is about to drive while impaired, take the keys and arrange for a ride home. Buckle-up, every ride.
