ABC Asks Patrons and Licensees to Work to Limit Impaired Driving this St. Patrick’s Day

Sacramento – The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) reminds Californians that planning for a sober ride home should be a top priority when making St. Patrick’s Day plans. ABC licensees can help increase safety by checking IDs and not serving obviously intoxicated patrons.

“Whether you have a designated driver or opt for a taxi or rideshare—have a plan to get home safely before you go celebrate,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “In addition, our agents will be out in full force on St. Patrick’s Day to keep communities safe.”

While impaired driving is a significant danger on the road year-round, the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period is particularly deadly. If you know someone has been drinking, don’t let them get behind the wheel. If you’re hosting a gathering, make sure all your guests have a sober ride home.

ABC is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to deliver this educational message due to the high number of drunk driving crashes that occur near St. Patrick’s Day each year. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that between 2016 and 2020, drunk driving crashes caused 287 deaths during the St. Patrick’s Day period. In 2020, 36% of fatal crashes involved a drunk driver during the same period.

Funding for St. Patrick’s Day enforcement is provided by a grant from OTS through NHTSA.

Contact

Additional information may be obtained by contacting:

Public Information Office
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: pio@abc.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 419-2525

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