St. Patrick’s Day is upon us, and with it comes a host of parties and celebrations where people will ultimately get smashed beyond belief.

And unfortunately some of these partygoers will get behind the wheel of a car and drive themselves home.

It’s pretty obvious that the majority of the population would say they are against drinking and driving.  But time and time again, drivers are pulled over or get into accidents with blood alcohol concentration levels above the legal limit of 0.08. Worse still are the few that drive with so much alcohol walking is too difficult.

“I’m alright to drive,” is an all too common utterance. No matter how many awareness campaigns or R.I.D.E. programs occur, people continue to abuse their alcohol.

There’s no consistent or reliable way to determine how many drinks in how many hours will lead to a certain blood alcohol level. There are too many factors — gender, body weight, how fast you drink, how much food is in your stomach — that affect it.

The general assumption people have is that one drink per hour is okay. But it is nothing more than that, an assumption. Yet people constantly ignore this, spouting out the age-old saying that they don’t even have a buzz, they feel fine, and/or they’re a good driver.

These people do not realize that with every sip of alcohol their vision gets blurrier and their reflexes get slower.

It doesn’t take much; all it can take is one drink.

In 2005, 16.7% of people who consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel and died in Ontario had a blood alcohol concentration less than 0.08, according to Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation website.

Why take the chance? Yes, it sucks having to pay the extra cash to take a cab, assign a designated driver, take public transit or walk home. But the thought that you, someone you love, or a random stranger whose only fault is that they are in the wrong place at the wrong time could be killed or seriously injured is enough of a wake-up call to dial a cab company.

Assuming you’re fine to drive could be what leads to another’s death.

Anyone out there want that regret on their shoulders?

So, go out and join in the festivities. But if you plan to drink, plan to not drive.