Drinking the green beer? Call a designated driver!
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau would like to remind everyone with the upcoming St. Paddy’s Day to remember one important piece of advice: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. This means that if you plan to drink any alcoholic beverage, it’s essential that you plan for a designated driver. Nationwide, law enforcement agencies across the country will be patrolling, searching for impaired drivers.
Drunk driving isn’t the only risk on the road: Drug-impaired driving is also an increasing problem for men and for women alike. If drivers are impaired by any substance — alcohol or other drugs — they should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle. It is illegal in all states to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs. Remember: Driving while impaired is illegal, period. The bottom line is this: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. It’s that simple.
Drinking and driving should never be combined. It’s essential to plan a sober ride in advance if the holiday celebration will include alcohol. The alternative could change your life, not to mention the lives of your passengers, of pedestrians, or of other drivers and passengers nearby.
Remember:
- It is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the Linn County Sheriff’s Office or your local law enforcement agency.
- Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office will have extra deputies on duty looking for impaired drivers this weekend and on St. Patrick’s Day. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone, to celebrate responsibly and to “Drive sober, or get pulled over.”