After a long and difficult winter, St. Patrick’s Day is about to usher in spring — and you’re ready to party! In this time of celebration, however, many party-goers find themselves vulnerable to a variety of risks, most of which involve alcohol. Follow these tips to stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day:
Plan to Use Public Transit or Ridesharing Apps
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), 60 people were killed in crashes involving drunk drivers on St. Patrick’s Day in 2016. The fatality rate that year averaged 29 people per day; clearly, people drove drunk on St. Patrick’s — and many suffered deadly consequences.
This year, leave the car at home and plan your route in advance. If possible, use ridesharing services such as Uber or Lyft to get home. If transit options are limited, stick with a designated driver — ideally somebody who avoids alcohol the entire day.
Keep Eating
Depending on which pubs or parties you hit up, you might find delicacies such as corned beef or shepherd’s pie. Don’t hesitate to sample these dishes, particularly if you plan to drink. High-protein foods, in particular, can dramatically slow alcohol’s rate of absorption.
Stay Hydrated
As you knock back the beers or shots, you may quickly find yourself getting dehydrated. Alcohol has a diuretic effect, to the point that you will expel a full quart of urine for every eight ounces of alcohol (containing fifty grams) you consume.
Plan to drink at least one glass of water every time you consume alcohol. Even if you remain sober, you’ll want to drink plenty of water to counteract the effects of any salty foods you enjoy.
If negligence or bad driving leads to suffering on St. Patrick’s Day, you deserve support from a trusted legal team. Look to Regan Zambri Long PLLC for proactive personal injury advocacy. Call today to learn more.