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Stay lucky, drive sober this St. Paddy’s Day weekend
JACKSON, MISS. – With the state’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade right around the corner, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is offering a few tips to help you stay lucky on St. Paddy’s Day weekend.
Each year, downtown Jackson transforms into a sea of green as thousands of people travel to the city to take part in Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade. Whether it’s Friday’s Second Line Stomp, pre-parade festivities, the main event or the many sham-rocking after-parties, remember that green beer is never a green light to drive under the influence. If any of your celebrations include drinking, make sure you have a plan for a safe and sober ride home or you could risk becoming a leprechaun-vict and losing your pot of gold.
“Jackson’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade draws a huge crowd each year to celebrate springtime, the state’s Irish influences and the positive aspects of our capital city,” said Brad White, MDOT Executive Director. “It’s a joyous time, so please help safeguard everyone’s luck by making smart choices and never driving impaired.”
If you plan to be on the road this weekend, don’t let traffic slow your roll. Spend more time dancing in the street and less time stuck in traffic by downloading the MDOT Traffic mobile app, which shows real-time traffic conditions, including road closures, accidents, congestion and more.
With a wee bit of planning, you can keep your driving record golden this weekend. Here are some tips to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable St. Paddy’s Day:
- 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.
MageeNews.com is the online news source for Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
