History of St. Patrick’s Day

Why do we even celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? It began in Ireland in the 17th century to commemorate the death of Saint Patrick (March 17, 461 AD), the patron saint of Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity into the country. The Irish have celebrated the religious holiday for generations with a feast and parades.

When millions of Irish migrated to the United States, they brought their holiday with them. Many Americans have Irish roots in their family tree and feel a kinship with that country. Over the years, St. Patrick’s Day in this country has become less religious and more secular in nature.

In the United States, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into celebrating all things Irish, including singing, dancing, wearing green, eating corned beef and cabbage, and lots of drinking. And therein lies the drawback.

When Celebrating Becomes Unsafe

Getting together with family and friends to celebrate a holiday is a wonderful thing, and drinking responsibly is perfectly fine. Unfortunately, some can take celebrating and drinking too far.

This is a problem during many holidays. Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, Memorial Day, and even Independence Day are notorious for long celebrations that lead to drunk driving and even fatal crashes. While not among the most deadly holidays, bars and pubs are full on St. Patrick’s Day, and when people leave, sometimes they don’t make the best decisions.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during St. Patrick’s Day in 2020, more than a third (36%) of crash fatalities involved a drunk driver. In fact, from 2016 to 2020, 287 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day period.

Even walking while intoxicated can be deadly. The NHTSA reported that in 2020, 30% of the pedestrians killed in traffic crashes had blood alcohol concentrations at or above .08.

This St. Patrick’s Day, have fun. Go out and party with friends, or stay in and host a party. But as you do so, keep safety a top priority. Here are our top three safety precautions for St. Patrick’s Day.

Top 3 Safety Precautions for St. Patrick’s Day

When it comes to celebrating safely, it’s all about planning ahead. Don’t just show up at a pub or party without a little forethought. Always have a plan. Here are three things to plan for now so you can have a safe holiday.

1. Plan Your Ride Home Now

If you’re heading out with a group of friends, plan your designated driver beforehand, or take an Uber to the party and an Uber home. Get any rideshare apps downloaded and ready now so it’s easier to use later. Make sure everyone is aware of how they’re getting home before the partying starts. Never drive drunk, don’t allow friends to drive drunk, and never get in a car with someone who is drunk.

2. Drink Responsibly

Pace yourself by taking sips rather than chugging down that drink in one go. Alternate what you are drinking with water and other nonalcoholic drinks. Reach for options with less alcohol content, like beer or wine, rather than shots. Know the alcohol content of what you’re drinking. Eat food throughout the evening so you’re not drinking on an empty stomach. Stop consuming all alcohol long before you head home. Busy yourself with party games so you’ll spend less time with a drink in your hand.

3. Watch Out for Your Friends

If you’re hosting a party, set out a bowl for car keys with the understanding that they will only get them back if they can drive home sober. Serve plenty of nonalcoholic drinks as well as food, making it easier for guests to make responsible choices. Get creative with green mocktails and mint shakes, along with Irish soda bread, boxty (an Irish latke), and trifle. Stop serving alcoholic drinks a few hours before the party ends.

Whether you celebrate at home or at the pub, keep an eye out for friends who are drinking. Make sure they don’t drink and drive. If they are drunk, help them order an Uber. They likely won’t remember a lot from the night, but they will appreciate being home safe. If you or another friend are the designated driver, make sure that arrangements are made beforehand so everyone is aware.