Crime & Safety
Celebrating Safely on St. Patrick's Day
The Fairfax County Police Department reminds drivers to plan for a designated driver.
Fairfax County police will be stepping up enforcement efforts today to remind residents to drink safely this St. Patrick’s Day.
Last year, the department charged 14 drivers with driving while under the influence on the holiday. Officers also made 22 other alcohol-related arrests.
Statewide in 2011, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 28 crashes on St. Patrick’s Day, 15 injuries and one fatality that was alcohol related.
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Authorities give the following advice on celebrating the holiday safely:
- Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
- Designate a driver.
- Report suspected impaired drivers to police.
- If you observe an impaired driver about to get behind the wheel, take their keys and help them make alternate transportation arrangements.
Alternatively, for a safe ride home, the SoberRide initiative is offering a free cab ride.
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The effort from the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) provides free taxi rides (up to $30) to anyone 21 and over in the Washington, D.C. area (including all of Fairfax County) from 10 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday.
AT&T customers can call #TAXI, while others can dial 800-200-TAXI.
For more details on the SoberRide program or information on WRAP, visit www.wrap.org/soberride.
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