OSP urges drivers Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day – safely

The Oregon State Police is partnering with local police and sheriff’s departments throughout Oregon by targeting drunk and impaired drivers during Tuesday’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.

For too many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has ended in tragedy due to drunk drivers getting behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on St. Patrick’s Day from 2009 to 2013, there were a total of 276 lives lost in drunk-driving crashes.

OSP wants to remind drivers that being buzzed behind the wheel constitutes being drunk behind the wheel and may have dangerous or deadly consequences.

“Buzzed means you are feeling the effects of the alcohol. But to a trooper, it means you have already lost your ability to mitigate risk,” said OSP Drug Recognition Expert Sergeant Evan Sether.

When a person feels drunk, he or she knows they are vulnerable and in no shape to make critical driving decisions. Buzzed however, means you have already lost your ability to identify and mitigate the risk and hazards behind the wheel but you may not be aware it’s even happened.”

This St. Patrick’s Day – Avoid the hassle and use a designated driver.