How many times have you said “boy, that was lucky” after a close call behind the wheel due to your own actions or those of another driver?
Good luck is always welcome, especially when it comes to averting tragedies like crash deaths and injuries. But counting on good luck alone – or thinking crashes happen to other people – is never a strategy for staying safe as a driver or a passenger.
March, as you know, is a month when whether or not we’re of Irish lineage many of us enjoy St. Patrick’s Day revelry and talk of luck, leprechauns and pots of gold at the end of the rainbow. As traffic safety professionals, we know the days before March 17 are a time to create some “learning luck.”
Make certain your employees, family and friends understand the increased crash risks associated with alcohol-focused St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Alcohol-involved fatal crashes are 16% more common during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday than during the rest of March. Crashes involving alcohol can double on St. Patrick’s Day compared to a normal day. In addition, male drivers are involved in fatal crashes at twice the rate of female drivers. Even if they are lucky enough to avoid crashes, with increased enforcement action underway in many communities impaired drivers may find themselves handing off their personal pots of gold to fines and attorneys.
For traffic safety advocates, the “luck” doesn’t end on March 17. Later this month Minnesota NETS will roll out our 2026 Distracted Driving Awareness Month (April 1-30) campaign, “Someone is Waiting for You.” It reminds drivers to slow down and pay attention because family, friends, co-workers and beloved pets count on them.
Watch your email for more about campaign tools you can use to reinforce the dangers of distracted driving and excessive speed. We’re especially excited that we’ll be reaching drivers mid-trip as they view a video “Someone is Waiting for You” message on screens at select retail locations across Minnesota.
Wishing you good luck, and more important, good judgement, this St. Patrick’s Day.
Yours in traffic safety,
Lisa
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