WELLINGTON — Fire Chief Richard Walker doesn’t want you to depend on the luck of the Irish while out on the town this St. Patrick’s Day when a designated driver is more dependable.

That’s why Walker and Lt. Bill Brown on Friday placed “Kiss Me I’m Sober” tags on bottles at Discount Drug Mart in preparation for the holiday.

All nine of the Discount Drug Marts in Lorain County are cooperating in the campaign involving 1,000 tags.

Lorain County’s Safe Community Coalition organized the campaign, and Walker and Brown are members.

Traditionally, St. Patrick’s Day always is a popular time to celebrate with friends and family with a beer or cocktail in hand. But due to the large volume of impaired drivers, the night also has become very dangerous, according to Walker, who has responded to alcohol-related crashes on that night for his entire 37-year career.

“Designate a sober driver this St. Patrick’s Day,” Walker said. “It’s sad to say a lot of our crashes on holidays and evenings are alcohol-related, and many times the innocent party gets injured or killed. Alcohol, drugs and driving don’t mix. Don’t test your luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Drive sober.”

Walker and Brown helped the Lorain County Health Department with the campaign by starring in a video, said health educator Sara Abdollahian.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 134 people were killed in traffic-related crashes on St. Patrick’s Day in 2008, the most recent statistic available. Out of that number, 37 percent involved a drunken driver or motorcycle rider with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 — the level at which a driver is deemed impaired in Ohio — or higher.

On top of the danger involved in drinking and driving, a conviction for driving under the influence will hit you in the pocketbook, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which reports that first-time DUI offenders can expect insurance rates between $3,600 and $6,600 a year.

Abdollahian said Walker told her that firefighters in Wellington plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with corned beef, cabbage and smoothies — not alcohol.

“Sounds fun to me,” she said.

On the web

For a video and photographs of Discount Drug Mart’s bottle-tagging event,visit www.loraincountysafecommunity.com.

Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.

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