Remember the Designated Driver

St. Patrick's Day provides everyone with an opportunity to celebrate the rich Irish heritage. As many of us here in Litchfield County toast St. Patrick on March 17, Dwan and Company would like to take a moment to salute the millions who make designated drivers part of their party plans.

According to a recent survey done by the Data Development Corporation, 92% of the public endorse the designated driver concept as a "good" or "excellent" way to curb drunk driving. In fact, more than 112 million American adults have been a designated driver or have been driven home by one.

Those are phenomenal numbers. And through efforts like these, we have made great strides in addressing the issue of drunk driving. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the number of drunk-driving deaths has declined 41% since 1982—the lowest level since the government began tracking them. But that does not mean we should rest on our laurels; there is still more work to be done to bring drunk-driving numbers down even further. To that end, Dwan and Company, a local Anheuser-Busch distributor, works to promote responsible drinking.

We are winning the fight against drunk driving. So let's remember to look out for one another and designate a driver before celebrating the wearing of green.

Sarah Sweetman Carr is Alcohol Awareness Coordinator at Dwan and Company in Torrington.