Amigos Don’t Let Amigos Drive Drunk

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become synonymous with festive fiestas and salty margaritas. Historically, the fifth of May commemorates Mexico’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. There’s no victory when partygoers drink and drive.

In 2014, there were 343 crash fatalities during the Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend (6 p.m. May 2 to 5:59 a.m. May 6). One out of these three people lost their lives in the drunk-driving crashes. 116 people could be alive today if Cinco de Mayo partygoer had designated sober drivers.

Over the 2014 Cinco de Mayo holiday period, almost one-fifth (18%) of drivers in fatal crashes had BACs of .15 or higher which is almost twice the legal limit in every states.

Twenty-five percent of drivers in 2014 Cinco de Mayo holiday fatal crashes had BACs of .08 or higher. During this same weekend, only 70 percent of drivers in fatal crashes were completely sober (with .00 BAC).

Cinco de Mayo holiday period drunk-driving fatalities have decreased slightly from 90 in 2012 (45% of all crash fatalities), to 65 in 2013 (40% of all crash fatalities), to 33 people in 2014 (33% of all crash fatalities).

Do your part to make your Cinco de Mayo safe. Designate a driver, call a friend, or call a cab. Amigos don’t let Amigos drive drunk.

For More Information:

  • Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lt., Jerrod Savidge
    419-352-2481
  • Safe Communities Coordinator, Sandy Wiechman
    419-372-9353 | swiechm@bgsu.edu