St. Patrick’s Day & Drinking: When Some Aren’t So Lucky

This St. Patrick's Day you'll undoubtedly see people, young and old, dressed in green and celebrating the Irish spirit. Many of these people will be enjoying rounds of Irish whiskey and pints of Guinness throughout the day and into the night. Unfortunately, some of these people will also get behind the wheel of a car. Police departments in Georgia and across the country report that DUIs increase significantly on St. Patrick's Day.

More People Drink, and People Drink More

St. Patrick's Day is known as a holiday where drinking is not only expected but encouraged. As a result, an astounding number of people have at least one drink on the holiday. In fact, as many as 13 million gallons of Guinness beer are expected to be consumed across the world. St. Patrick's Day in Georgia will be no different; pubs, restaurants, and bars will have specials on “Irish” drinks to attract anyone who wants to celebrate their Irish blood.

So, on St. Patrick's Day, more people are consuming alcohol than normal. Unfortunately, people are also consuming more alcohol than usual. In other words, there are not only more people drinking, but people are drinking a lot more. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 80 percent of drunk drivers involved in accidents on St. Patrick's day in 2010 had a blood alcohol concentration that was nearly double the legal limit. 

Police Will Be Waiting for Drunk Drivers

Since more people drive drunk on St. Patrick's Day, police in Georgia and across the country will be prepared. DUI sobriety checkpoints are a popular tool to find drunk drivers and get them off of the road. Last year in Twiggs County alone, there were dozens of DUI arrests at only one checkpoint. If you are stopped at a DUI checkpoint and police have reason to believe that you are drunk, they will require you to submit to chemical testing. In most cases, this means taking a breathalyzer. If your blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit (.08 percent for adults) you will be arrested for driving while impaired. Police will be particularly aggressive in combating underage drinking and driving. Under the state's zero-tolerance laws, drivers under the age of 21 who have any alcohol in their system can be charged with DUI.

DUI Charges in Georgia

Police will be particularly aggressive in finding and arresting drunk drivers on St. Patrick's Day. Any drivers who are determined to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be arrested and charged with DUI. In Georgia, a DUI can carry significant penalties ranging from expensive fines, the loss of your driving privileges, and time in jail.

This St. Patrick's Day, think twice before getting behind the wheel of the car if you've had anything to drink. Police will be out in full force to keep the roads safe and arrest anyone for driving drunk. If you or someone you know is charged with DUI this St. Patrick's Day, do not hesitate to contact an experienced Georgia DUI attorney for help. We understand that DUI can change your life forever and will fight to minimize the consequences of your arrest. It is important to act quickly, so contact us online or call at 404-816-4440 today.