Make Patty's Day as Safe as It Is Fun

St. Patrick's Day is a holiday synonymous with good music, appetizing food and adult beverages. Another, and far less enjoyable, thing people find synonymous with Patty's Day is the liklihood of celebrations going too far, often with celebrants drinking to excess and possibly leading to some potentially fatal side effects.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that St. Patrick's Day is one of the deadliest holidays in terms of drunk-driving fatalities. In 2009, the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety reported more than 120 arrests for DUI in the weekend before St. Patrick's Day, when many bars host their parties for the holiday when it falls on a weekday, as it did in 2009. Law enforcement officials reported that the average blood alcohol content (BAC) of those arrested was .142, or nearly twice the legal limit. What's more, more than 25 percent of those arrested were charged with extreme DUI, meaning the suspects had an alcohol content of .15 or above.

Those figures illustrate the scary approach many revelers take with respect to St. Patrick's Day. Rather than enjoying themselves responsibly, many revelers drink to extreme excess, putting themselves and others in serious danger as a result. For those hoping to celebrate the holiday safely this year, consider the following tips.

* Utilize the designated driver. Utilizing a designated driver is arguably the safest means to ensuring a safe St. Patrick's Day. Even if you do not plan on drinking much, it's good to keep in mind local law enforcement agencies routinely set up DUI task forces on Patty's Day and in the days preceding it. While you might think you're not breaking the law driving after a drink or two, even a little alcohol could be impairing your driving ability, and you never truly know your BAC. The best way to stay safe and avoid arrest is to have at least one person agree to abstain from alcohol.

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to find a willing designated driver on St. Patrick's Day. After all, it's a day of celebration and everyone wants to participate. If no one is willing, don't drive to your destination. Instead, call a cab from home and leave your own vehicles at home. This will make it impossible for you or any of your friends to drive home.

* Don't forget to eat, and don't be ashamed to overindulge in food. Food and drink are big parts of a Patty's Day celebration, and indulging in the food can ensure you don't drink too much or that the alcohol you do drink doesn't produce the negative effect it would on an empty stomach. If you're really in the spirit of celebrating the holiday, start off with an Irish breakfast in the morning, complete with Irish sausages, Irish bacon, black pudding, potatoes and eggs, among other things. An Irish breakfast will fill you up, keeping you from drinking too much, especially if you plan on heading to an afternoon parade. Another traditional meal that most establishments serve is corned beef and cabbage, a filling dish in its own right that will also limit the amount of alcohol your stomach can hold.

* Avoid drinking games and hard liquor. Drinking games have grown in popularity, particularly among younger drinkers. Unfortunately, the nature of drinking games often requires players to drink substantial amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. But many celebrants are already in a good mood on St. Patrick's Day, so you shouldn't need something extra like a drinking game to help you enjoy the day more.

It's also a good idea to avoid hard liquor on St. Patrick's Day. One shot of hard liquor is equivalent to 12 ounces of beer. So while a shot's stature might make it seem less harmful, it's packing a considerable punch that should be avoided for those hoping to drink responsibly.

* Drink water throughout the celebration. Come the end of the night, it's common for those who have been drinking to have a glass or two of water. However, drinking water throughout the whole night can help keep revelers hydrated and can be a good means to drinking more responsibly. Rather than continually drinking alcohol throughout the night, alternate between an alcoholic beverage and a glass of water instead. This will save you money and help you avoid drinking to excess.