Don’t Test Your Luck this St. Patrick’s Day: RAD and Local Businesses Remind You to Drive Sober

This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Rethinking Alcohol and Other Drugs (RAD) is partnering up with local businesses in the San Gabriel Valley on a Public Awareness Campaign to help prevent drunk driving and remind bar and restaurant patrons to plan ahead for a safe St. Patrick’s Day. The holiday is meant to celebrate Saint Patrick and the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. However, reports show that popular “bar holidays” like St. Patrick’s Day are among the most dangerous days for drunk and drugged driving deaths. In fact, drunk driving deaths and underage drinking increase around popular celebrations. Alcohol remains the second leading cause of death and disability in Los Angeles County, and is associated with over 54 acute and chronic health conditions. It is illegal in every state to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of (BAC) of .08 or higher, yet:

• Over 1 in 3 fatal collisions involve alcohol.
• 1 person is killed in a drunk-driving crash every 52 minutes.
• Alcohol-related emergency room visits increased by 82% between 2006-2013 in LA County.
• 10,076 people were killed in crashes involving alcohol in 2014. 65% were the drunk drivers themselves.
• Over 1 in 3 young adults (Ages 18-25) binge drink.
• 1 in 5 child passenger deaths involve a drunk driver.
• Almost 1 in 10 (8%) of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes have one or more previous DUI convictions.
• Men are more likely than women to be driving drunk in fatal crashes.
• Drunk driving is more common at night: Half of all traffic fatalities at night (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) involve drunk drivers.
• Among drivers ages 18-34, 45% of fatalities involve a drunk driver with a BAC of .08 or higher.
• Excessive alcohol consumption costs LA County $10.8 Billion every year (Roughly $1,000 per resident.)
• Impaired-driving crashes cost the United States $49.8 Billion every year.
• After alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs are most commonly linked to drugged driving crashes.

RAD and local businesses remind you to plan ahead for a safe St. Patrick’s Day with 5 simple steps:

1. Talk about the risks of excessive alcohol use with your teens, friends and family.
2. Only Drive Sober: Designate a non-drinking driver before any celebration, and encourage others to do the same.
3. Take the Keys: Never let friends drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
4. Be a responsible host: Serve water and offer non-alcoholic beverages.
5. Never provide alcohol or other drugs to minors: Keep alcohol away from minors and supervise.

http://www.rad-sgv.org/blog/dont-test-your-luck-this-st-patricks-day-drive-sober

Participating businesses:

Pasadena

The Blind Donkey
Ixtapa?
Barney’s Beanery
Dog Haus Biergarten
Cabrera’s Mexican Restaurant
Kings Row Gastropub
35er
Jerry’s Family Billiards
Bowlmor Pasadena
Setebello

South Pasadena

The Raymond Restaurant
Gus’ BBQ
Canoe House
Ai Japanese Restaurant
Barkley Restaurant
Mike & Anne’s
Aro Latin
Griffins Of Kinsale?

Alhambra

Limericks Tavern

Pomona

Character Sports Bar
The Burger House
Pizza Beer and Wings
O’Donovans Pub
Metro Ale House

Covina

AZO Vino
Alosta Brewing Company
Romero Estate Vineyard
REV Winery and Brewery
Rude Dog Bar & Grill
Bread & Barley
Casa Moreno Grill
Brew & Meatball Co
City Grill