Free rides offered for St. Patrick’s Day revelers

From SAFE COMMUNITIES OF WOOD COUNTY
Wood County Safe Communities announced today that there have been five fatal crashes in Wood County for
the calendar year 2017, compared to three for the same time frame in 2016.

St.Patrick’s Day rides offered

St. Patrick’s Day has become one of the nation’s most popular times to celebrate and party. Unfortunately, too
many people are taking to the roads after drinking alcohol, making this holiday also one of the most dangerous.

In fact, 30 people were killed in drunk driving crashes across the nation during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday
period (March 16-18) in 2015. To keep the roads safer, WCSC is reaching out with an important life-saving
message and warning: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Safe Communities is teaming up with local businesses and organizations for the annual Swallow Your Pride,
Call for a Ride event. The coalition is offering free rides to those who are unable to drive. Don’t wait until
you’ve already been drinking to make your transportation decision.

There’s no such thing as being “OK to Drive.” Just one or two drinks can impair judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested or causing a crash; killing yourself or someone else if you get behind the wheel. If you find yourself unable to drive this St.
Patrick’s Day, call 419-823-7765 for a FREE ride home anywhere in Bowling Green. Remember: Buzzed
Driving Is Drunk Driving.

If you plan to celebrate with alcohol this St. Patrick’s Day, follow these tips to stay safer:
 Before celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, decide whether you’ll drink or you’ll drive. You can’t do both.
 If you’re planning on driving, commit to staying sober. If you’ve been out drinking and then get behind
the wheel, you run the risk of causing a crash or getting arrested for a DUI.
 Help those around you be responsible, too. Walking while intoxicated can be deadly, as lack of attention
could put you at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.
 If someone you know is drinking, do not let him or her get behind the wheel.
 If you see someone who appears to be driving drunk, pull over to a safe location and call the police.
Your actions could help save a life.

Remember this St. Patrick’s Day: Plan Before You Party! Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
For More Information:
 visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov
 Lt. William Bowers, Ohio State Highway Patrol: 419-352-2481
 Sandy Wiechman, Safe Communities Coordinator: 419-372-9353 or swiechm@bgsu.edu