How To Avoid St. Patrick’s Day Drunk Driving Risks While Getting Home Safely

St. Patrick’s Day weekend is one of the easiest times of year to end up in the path of an impaired driver, so the safest move is to plan your ride before you go out, make your vehicle easier to see and control, and carry a small emergency kit in case something still goes wrong. If you only remember one thing, make it this: St. Patrick’s Day safety tips work best when you decide them before you celebrate.

Key takeaways

• Lock in a ride plan before the first drink: sober driver, rideshare, taxi, or public transit.
  
• Do a five-minute safety check: lights, wipers, tires, and brakes.
  
• Assume higher risk after dark and around bars close; drive more defensively and leave extra space.
  
• If you suspect an impaired driver nearby, create distance and report it when safe.
  
• Keep a basic kit: reflective triangles, charger, and essentials for a short roadside wait.

Why this holiday window is riskier

Impaired-driving crashes cluster around St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and the risk spikes at night, especially when people leave parties, bars, and events.

This is also when small equipment issues become big problems. Dim headlights, streaky wipers, or worn brakes don’t just make your drive annoying. They reduce reaction time, visibility, and control exactly when you’re more likely to need all three.

Pre-game plan: decide how you’re getting home

Your ride plan is the main safety lever you control. Make it simple and specific.

Choose one option and commit

• Sober driver: Pick the driver early. Confirm they’re not drinking at all.
  
• Rideshare or taxi: Pre-load the app, confirm payment, and set a pickup spot.
  
• Public transit: Check last departure times and service changes.
  
• Stay put: If you’re hosting or visiting friends or family, plan to sleep over.

Make your plan resilient

Holiday demand can mean long wait times and surge pricing. Have a backup, like a second rideshare app, a local taxi number saved, or a friend who can pick you up.

If you’re driving to the event

Park somewhere that won’t tempt you to move the car later. If possible, park a few minutes away from the busiest bar strip so you’re not pulling out into a chaotic crowd at closing time.

Defensive driving tactics for the ride home

Even if you’re sober, you’re sharing the road with people who might not be.

Assume the other driver may do something unpredictable

Drive like you’ll need extra time to react.

• Increase following distance.
  
• Ease off the throttle near intersections.
  
• Avoid hanging out in blind spots.
  
• Don’t race yellow lights.

Watch out for common impairment cues

• Drifting across lane lines or wide turns
  
• Erratic braking or sudden acceleration
  
• Driving too slowly for conditions
  
• Stopping for no clear reason

If you spot a driver acting dangerously, create space. Change lanes, slow down, or take the next exit. If you can safely do so hands-free (or as a passenger), report it.

Avoid peak risk moments

Late-night hours are typically when impaired-driving risk is highest. You can cut your exposure if you celebrate earlier or leave before the bar closes.

Quick safety check: 5 minutes that matter

This is your “don’t give yourself an avoidable problem” checklist. Do it the day of the event, not while you’re already running late.

Lights: make sure you can see and be seen

Turn on headlights and walk around your vehicle. Confirm that low beams, high beams, brake lights, and turn signals all work. If a bulb is out or a lens is cloudy, fix it. Visibility matters more on a high-risk night, and the cost of being hard to see is higher.

If your headlights look dim even when they work, check two things: lens clarity and aim. A hazy lens can cut light output, and misaimed headlights can reduce how far you see while also blinding oncoming drivers.

Wipers and washer: clear vision in seconds

Wipers that smear, chatter, or leave streaks cut your night visibility fast, especially with glare from oncoming traffic. Check the wiper edges for cracking or stiffness, top off washer fluid, and clean the windshield inside and out to reduce haze.

If rain is in the forecast, test your wipers on the way out, not halfway home. If they leave uncleaned bands across your line of sight, swap them before the night starts.

Brakes: confirm solid stopping power

You don’t need a shop inspection for a quick check, but you should pay attention. If you hear grinding, feel vibration, or the pedal feels soft, don’t ignore it. If your car pulls to one side when braking, that’s also a red flag.

Safety note: brakes are a critical safety system. If stopping feels inconsistent, get an inspection soon and avoid pushing your luck on a busy holiday night.

Tires: traction and stability

Check tire pressure when tires are cold and inflate to the door-jamb spec. Look for uneven wear or very low tread. Don’t forget your spare: confirm it’s inflated and that the jack and tools are actually in the vehicle. Good tires help you brake straighter, steer more predictably, and handle surprise maneuvers without drama.

Phone setup: reduce distraction

Your phone should support your drive, not hijack it. Mount it at eye level (not on your lap), start navigation before you roll, and turn on Do Not Disturb or a driving focus mode. If you need to change directions, pull into a safe spot first.

Build a small emergency kit for busy nights

Holiday traffic plus late-night driving can mean longer waits if something happens. You don’t need a huge kit. You need a smart one.

Must-haves

• Reflective triangles
  
• Flashlight or headlamp
  
• Phone charging cable and a small power bank
  
• Warm layer or blanket
  
• Water and a simple snack
  
• Basic first-aid items

If you break down

Pull as far off the road as possible, ideally to a well-lit area. Turn on hazards immediately. Set reflective triangles at a safe distance behind your vehicle, following the product instructions and local guidance. Stay in your vehicle if it’s safer than standing near traffic, especially on high-speed roads.

What to do if you’re in a crash or near-miss

Right after an incident

• Check for injuries and call emergency services if needed.
  
• Move out of traffic if the vehicles are drivable and it’s safe.
  
• Exchange information and document what happened with photos.
  
• Don’t argue roadside. Keep it factual and calm.

If you suspect the other driver is impaired, prioritize safety first. Keep your distance, avoid confrontation, and involve law enforcement.

FAQ

When is the risk highest around this holiday?

Nighttime and late-night hours tend to be the riskiest, especially when events end and people head home. You’ll reduce exposure if you celebrate earlier or leave before the biggest exit rush.

What’s the simplest way to protect myself if I’m not drinking?

Lock in your ride plan, drive defensively, and avoid unnecessary late-night driving. You can’t control other drivers, but you can reduce the time you spend around the highest-risk traffic.

What’s a quick way to check if my headlights are too dim?

If you’re seeing weak output, uneven beams, or heavy haze on the lens, you’re likely losing usable light. Confirm that the correct bulbs are installed and working, clean the lenses, and replace worn components as needed. If one side looks noticeably different from the other, troubleshoot before the next nighttime trip.

How do I know if my wipers are unsafe?

Replace them if they smear, skip, chatter, or leave uncleaned bands. Night glare plus rain or spray can turn a minor wiper issue into a serious visibility problem fast.

What brake symptoms should make me stop driving and get checked?

Grinding noises, a soft pedal, strong vibration, or the car pulling during braking are all signs that you should get your vehicle inspected soon. If your ride’s stopping power feels uncertain, avoid high-traffic nights until it’s addressed.

What should I keep in the car for holiday driving safety?

Keep it focused: reflective triangles, a flashlight, a charger, and a warm layer cover most real-world situations without taking up much space.

Any practical St. Patrick’s Day tips for getting home if rideshares are slammed?

Have a backup plan before you go out: a second app, a taxi contact saved, public transit times checked, or a friend you can call. If you drove, consider leaving early, waiting it out, or staying over rather than forcing a risky trip.Do your ride planning before the first round and give nighttime driving an extra margin. Give your car a quick check, especially lights, wipers, and brakes, so that you aren’t fighting visibility or stopping distance when traffic gets unpredictable. For St. Patrick’s Day safety, simple prep plus cautious driving beats last-minute decisions every time.