Auto Club Warns of St. Patrick's DUI Dangers Due to Increase in Drunk Driving Crashes.

News Editors/Business Editors/Automotive Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2003

California drivers on the road over St. Patrick's Day are 23 percent more likely to be killed or injured in an alcohol-related crash than they are on other days, according to an analysis by the Automobile Club of Southern California.

With drinking and driving crashes on the rise in the state and nation, the Auto Club is warning that this St. Patrick's Day could prove to be a dangerous one for drinking and driving.

"When we look at these St. Patrick's Day crash statistics along with the fact that annual alcohol-related crashes continue to rise, we see real cause for concern," said Steven Bloch, Ph.D., the Auto Club's senior researcher. "This analysis shows once again that drivers and their passengers are at a higher risk for being involved in alcohol- related crashes on holidays and special occasions."

The Auto Club analyzed California Highway Patrol data on alcohol-related traffic injuries and deaths from 1991 through 2002. Compared with the same non-holiday days of the week each year for four weeks before and four weeks after March 17, the number of people killed and injured over St. Patrick's Day increased 23 percent statewide.

In Los Angeles County, the death and injury rate was 19 percent higher on St. Patrick's Day, in San Diego County it was 21 percent and in Orange County, it was an unusually high 58 percent.

"The Orange County data show alarming incidents of alcohol-related crash deaths and injuries on St. Patrick's Day," Bloch said. "But the recent Orange County crash data are much more encouraging than the 12-year analysis.

"If you look at Orange County St. Patrick's statistics for the past four years only, the death and injury rate from alcohol-related crashes is less than 1 percent higher than on comparison days, as opposed to 83 percent higher during the previous eight years.

"This indicates that Orange County law enforcement and education efforts have really been effective in reducing drinking and driving on St. Patrick's Day."

The Auto Club periodically analyzes alcohol-related data for holidays to increase awareness among motorists of the need to avoid drinking and driving.

"People who are celebrating are sometimes less cautious and risk driving after drinking," Bloch said. "We want to remind motorists that just because it's a holiday or special occasion, it doesn't mean drinking and driving is OK. In fact, drivers need to realize that many holidays and special occasions are more dangerous for motorists than other days."

To help keep drivers and passengers safe on St. Patrick's Day, the Auto Club recommends these tips:

-- Don't drink and drive.

-- Use a designated driver if you're attending a St Patrick's Day celebration.

-- Call a friend or family member or a taxi for a ride if you've been drinking.

-- If hosting a St. Patrick's Day party, be responsible. Take car keys from partygoers as they arrive and don't let them drive drunk. Serve non-alcoholic drinks and encourage each group to have a designated driver. Serve protein-rich and starchy foods to slow alcohol absorption.

-- If you observe an erratic driver while on the road, try to stay behind his or her vehicle and out of harm's way. If it's safe to do so, pull over and call 911 or alert local police, providing a detailed description of the vehicle and its location.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services and highway and transportation safety programs.

Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.

           ST. PATRICK'S DAY DRINKING AND DRIVING, 1991-2002
    Persons Killed or Injured in Alcohol-Related Traffic Crashes/a

                           Average # of  Average # of  Percent of
                           annual        annual        injury and
                           injuries      injuries      fatality
                           and           and           over-
                           fatalities,   fatalities,   representation,
                           St.           similar       St. Patrick's
                           Patrick's     weekdays      Day
                           Day

Statewide                   152.92        124.82          22.5
Los Angeles County           43.75         36.68          19.3
Orange County                13.67          8.64          58.3
San Diego County             13.17         10.91          20.7


Data Source: California Highway Patrol

(a) During the 29 hours between midnight March 17 and 5 a.m. March 18,
    compared with the same days of the week and times in February,
    March and April.