With Increased Festivities and Alcohol Consumption, MADD Reminds Everyone to Make Safe Choices on St. Patrick’s Day
(Irving, Texas – March 10, 2025) As cities across the country prepare for parades, parties, and pub crawls, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is urging everyone to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day responsibly. With alcohol flowing and impaired driving crashes on the rise, getting home safely isn’t about luck—it’s about making a plan before the first toast.
With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Monday this year, celebrations are expected to stretch through the weekend—bringing four nights of festivities but also an increased risk of impaired driving crashes.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 290 people lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period between 2018 and 2022. In 2022 alone, 74 people were killed, and the risk increases at night—38% of drivers involved in fatal crashes between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day 2022 were drunk.
“Don’t leave your safety to luck this St. Patrick’s Day,” said MADD CEO Stacey D. Stewart. “With celebrations lasting all weekend, planning a sober ride is the smartest move you can make. Whether you choose a designated driver, a rideshare, or public transportation, make a plan before you raise your glass—because impaired driving is never worth the risk.”
As celebrations ramp up, so will law enforcement efforts, with increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints nationwide. A DUI arrest can cost thousands of dollars in fines, lead to a suspended license, jail time, or worse—irreversible consequences if someone is injured or killed.
MADD is also calling on party hosts to play their part in keeping guests safe. Providing a designated driver, arranging rideshares, or offering a place to stay can prevent impaired driving crashes. A little planning can make all the difference and protect everyone on the roads.
About MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is a national nonprofit leading the movement to end impaired driving for good. Since 1980, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths in America by nearly 40%, saved more than 475,000 lives, and served more than one million victims and survivors. The organization is committed to leading prevention efforts with young adults, collaborating with law enforcement to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers, as well as advocating for stricter sentencing and stronger laws, including the HALT Act that mandates anti-drunk driving technology in every new car. MADD continues to provide support services to victims and survivors of impaired driving at no charge through victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. For more information or to donate, visit https://madd.org/ and follow MADD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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