Stay lucky, drive sober this St. Patrick’s Day

\With St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and parades right around the corner, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is offering a few tips to help you stay as lucky as a four-leaf clover and keep your driving record golden during the springtime festivities.

Green beer is not a green light to take the driver’s wheel. Before the celebrations, make a plan for a safe and sober ride home or risk becoming a leprechaun-vict and losing your pot of gold.

“Many Mississippians embrace Irish influences on our state and like to celebrate in grand style this time of year,” said Brad White, MDOT Executive Director. “However, we know pour choices can have grave consequences, so don’t rely on luck – keep everyone safe by always planning a sober ride home and never driving impaired.”

Several St. Patrick’s Day parades take place in the state, the largest of which is Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade in the capital city. Each year, downtown Jackson transforms into a sea of green as thousands of people travel to the city to take part. Spend less time in traffic and more time catching beads by downloading the MDOT Traffic mobile app, which shows real-time traffic conditions, including road closures, accidents, congestion and more.

Here are some tips from MDOT to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable St. Patrick’s season:

• If you drink, do not drive for any reason. Call a taxi, order a ride or find a sober driver.
• Slow down and watch out for pedestrians.
• Be mindful of road closures; never attempt to drive around barricades.
• Avoid all distractions and concentrate on the road.
• Be aware of all drivers on the road. Don’t assume everyone is as safe as you.
• Always wear your seatbelt. It is your greatest defense in a wreck.
• Don’t be afraid to stand up to someone trying to drive under the influence. Remove their keys to take away the temptation of wanting to drive.
• Impaired drivers are not only a danger to themselves, but also others on the road. If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call the police when it is safe to do so.

For more tips on traveling safe, visit GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms. For real-time road conditions on Mississippi’s highways and bridges, download the MDOT Traffic mobile app, visit MDOTtraffic.com and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and X (former Twitter).