This St. Patrick's Day, Don't Rely on Luck: 'Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving'

As West Virginians prepare to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) is issuing a critical reminder: if you drink, do not drive. Partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), state officials are working to prevent tragedies by spreading the life-saving message: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. This life-saving campaign will run from March 13-17, 2026.

The St. Patrick's Day Danger Zone - The festive atmosphere of St. Patrick's Day often masks a deadly reality on our roads. According to recent data from the NHTSA, alcohol-impaired driving remains a primary factor in holiday fatalities:

• A High Cost: Between 2019 and 2023, nearly 38% of all traffic fatalities during the St. Patrick's Day holiday involved a drunk driver, totaling 284 preventable deaths.
• Tragedy in 2023: During the 2023 holiday alone, 63 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes.
• High Levels of Impairment: Of those 2023 fatalities, 44 victims died in crashes involving a driver with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher, nearly double the legal limit.

These numbers highlight a dangerous trend: many drivers aren't just "slightly buzzed," they are severely impaired. Law enforcement will be on high alert this year to identify and stop these drivers before a tragedy occurs.

"While many traditions surround St. Patrick's Day, getting behind the wheel after just a few should not be one of them. Law enforcement officers see the heartbreaking aftermath of impaired driving daily, from ruined lives to grieving families," said Jack McNeely, Director of the GHSP.

"Feeling a buzz is a sign of impairment. Alcohol clouds judgment, making it impossible to accurately assess your own ability to drive. The GHSP emphasizes that drinking and driving is never an option, but choosing a sober ride is," continued McNeely.

How to Celebrate Safely - To ensure everyone makes it home, drivers are urged to follow these safety tips:

1. Plan Before You Party: Do not wait until you've started drinking to find a ride. Secure a designated sober driver or pre-book a taxi or rideshare service.

2. Hand Over the Keys: If you've been drinking, give your keys to a sober friend or family member.

3. Be a Good Friend: If you see someone who has been drinking attempting to drive, take their keys and help them arrange a safe way home.

4. Report Impaired Drivers: If you spot a vehicle operating erratically, contact local law enforcement immediately. Your call could save a life.

Drive 100% sober, because Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. For more information on impaired driving, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

For more information about the West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program, visit highwaysafety.wv.gov or call 304-926-2509.​