She spoke Thursday at Shawn’s Irish Tavern in the Sylvania area, where officials gathered to promote safe driving on St. Patrick’s Day.  

Black and White will have additional drivers on the road, in addition to its standard 200, to combat impaired driving, Ms. Schacht said. Also for the holiday, Black and White is offering a set rate of travel of between $10 to $30 for each trip.

Dr. Aela Vely, trauma medical director at the University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College of Ohio Hospital, said that nurses and doctors have told one too many people a family member isn’t coming home because of drunken driving.

In addition, she said that nurses and doctors are the ones who see the devastating impact drunken driving has on the people injured and their families.

“We don’t want to talk to families about the suffering that has been caused,” Dr. Vely said. “If you are that one who will be drinking and enjoying your life this St. Paddy’s Day, do it responsibly.”

Dr. Vely urges those planning on going out for drinks to make arrangements to be driven home.

She said she also wants people to speak up when they see a friend or family member about to drive after they’ve been drinking.

“You can also be the person who prevents a tragedy by holding the car keys or making the phone call to have a cab pick them up,” Dr. Vely said. “Everyone should feel empowered to act and not just look the other way because the end of the night could end in prison or the hospital.”

Lt. Bradley Longo, the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Toledo post commander, said law enforcement dreads the same conversation of informing someone’s loved one they’ve died due to drunk driving.

Though alcohol affects everyone differently, he said, people intending to drink should not be driving home.

“Don’t take a chance of getting behind the wheel thinking you’re OK when, in reality, you might not be,” Lieutenant Longo said. “If you’re going to be drinking, get a ride home.”