St. Patrick’s Day is upon us again. It’s a sure fire sign that spring is on the way. It is also one of the most popular days of the year to enjoy some green beer and Irish whiskey with your friends and celebrate everything Irish. It’s also common for people to get the party started early in the day and have it last late into the night.

Whether you are having a party at your friend’s house or heading down to your local Irish pub to celebrate, always plan ahead and have a safe way home.

Don’t try to test the luck of the Irish by drinking and driving. The police will be on high alert, you can expect RIDE programs in your area, and you could put your life and the lives of others at risk if you decide to get behind the wheel after having a few drinks.

Impaired Driving Is a Concern for Canadians

It’s not just St. Patrick’s Day when we should make alternative arrangements if we choose to drink. According to Change the Conversation, “Impaired driving has consistently ranked as the leading road safety concern among more than 80% of Canadians for the past decade.”

They add, “The public’s concern about impaired driving is certainly warranted. Drinking and driving continues to be one of the largest contributors to the road crash problem in many countries around the world; in Canada, alcohol has been a factor in 30% to 40% of road deaths for the past 15 years.”

Drinking and Driving Is Never an Option

Getting behind the wheel after having a few drinks is never an option. There are countless other alternatives to consider. Here are just a few:

·         Take public transportation
·         Have someone agree to be a designated driver
·         Call a taxi or Uber
·         Use a designated driver service
·         Arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up
·         Walk if you are within walking distance
·         Stay over at a friend’s house
·         Leave your car overnight

The Potential Cost of Drinking and Driving

No inconvenience or cost is worth trying to drive home after drinking. Think about the potential damage you could cause if you choose to drink and drive.

·         You could cause an accident
·         You could injure or kill yourself or others
·         You could get arrested and have your vehicle impounded
·         You could lose your driver’s license
·         You could lose your reputation and even your job
·         You could be dropped by your insurance provider
·         You could be labelled a high risk driver by car insurance brokers and have your insurance rates skyrocket

Drinking and driving is not worth the risk.

If you have questions about how a drinking and driving charge could impact your auto insurance rates, don’t hesitate to contact me directly. As a Toronto insurance broker, I will provide you with the unbiased advice you are seeking. Call today!