St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah is known for parades, green beer―and DUIs.

Savannah puts on the second-largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the United States, behind New York City. Each year, St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah is celebrated with street vendors, live music, and bar hopping. And with Georgia’s zero-tolerance policy, DUIs are prevalent. According to WTOC, 260 arrests were made during St. Patrick’s Day Festival Weekend in Chatham County in 2019.

This year, although all St. Patrick’s Day festivities are canceled due to COVID-19, it’s not stopping the crowds from coming to downtown Savannah to celebrate. ABC News quoted the director of the city’s office of special events, film, and tourism, Susan Broker, saying, “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the city is bracing for 30,000 to 50,000 visitors …”

Law enforcement will be on patrol to get drunk and drugged drivers off the road and in a jail cell.

Here are some tips should you get stopped for a DUI this St. Patrick’s Day:

If I’m stopped by a police officer and he/she asks me if I’ve been drinking, what should I say?

You are not required to answer potentially incriminating questions. A polite “I would like to speak with an attorney before I answer any questions” is a good reply. On the other hand, saying that you had one or two beers is not incriminating. It is not sufficient to cause intoxication, and it may explain the odor of alcohol on the breath.

Do I have to say yes to a field sobriety test?

There is a wide range of field sobriety tests (FSTs), including heel-to-toe, finger-to-nose, one-leg stand, alphabet recitation, modified position of attention, fingers-to-thumb, and hand pat. Most officers will use a set battery of three to five such tests. Unlike the chemical test, where refusal to submit may have serious consequences, you are not legally required to take any FSTs. The reality is that officers have usually made up their minds to arrest when they give the FSTs. If you decide to take them, they will be used against you. 

GOHS: Don’t Rely on Luck This St. Patrick’s Day

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety offered the following safety tips and reminders for having a safe holiday if you plan to drink:

• Schedule a ride with a rideshare service or cab company before leaving for your festivities.
• Program cab company numbers into your phone ahead of time. Use them.
• Make sure your phone is fully charged when you go out so you can order a rideshare if needed.
• If you won’t be drinking, let friends and family know you can pick them up if needed.
• Offer to drive if someone is too impaired to get behind the wheel and you are sober to drive.
• Reward designated drivers with free non-alcoholic beverages.

Contact a Savannah DUI Lawyer

If you get arrested for DUI this St. Patrick’s Day, you need to hire an experienced DUI attorney. Contact me online or call me at 912-656-5996 to schedule a free consultation at my Savannah law firm. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with weekend appointments and jail visits available upon request.
Fluent in Gujarati, Hindi, and German.