Celebrating different cultures brings us all together in the spirit of fun, food and friendship. For some, days like Cinco de Mayo are significant – they are our history, they mark the times when life wasn’t quite as easy and show us how far we’ve come through the generations. For others, however, Cinco de Mayo is all about celebrating… well, drinking alcohol. It is considered a “hall pass” day for public intoxication. Let’s face it, not everyone knows WHY Cinco de Mayo is even a “holiday” – but, they know that the tequila and margaritas will be flowing throughout the night.
Days of celebration like St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo are plastered with people who are… plastered. “Bar crawls” become perfect examples of why public intoxication is frowned upon, with stumbling and fumbling that can only lead to mysterious aches and pains the morning after the “crawl” ends. For the more sober celebrants in the crowd, it’s reassuring to know that at least the “drunk in public” walkers aren’t driving home and risking lives on the road.
Still, drunk is drunk, and a person who is able to drink themselves silly can just as easily decide to take those risks and drive home. With the margarita-infused, celebratory nature of Cinco de Mayo, getting behind the wheel of a car could be a natural next step for a tequila-soaked mind. Of course, it is fun to let loose with friends, and Cinco de Mayo does invite more people to get out and have a good time. The trick is to play, drink and celebrate safely. Since nobody wants to face charges for public intoxication and drinking or driving, or consequences like a car breathalyzer or ignition interlock device, remember to have a plan before you head out on Cinco de Mayo. It’s a big day for drinking, and a great opportunity to “walk the walk” of a responsible drinker.
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