St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious holiday celebrating the patron saint of Ireland who died in 460 A.D. Over the years, this holiday has turned into a celebration focused on Irish food and mainly, alcohol.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, each year 46 percent of adults celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Of these people, 30.5 percent plan to go to a bar or restaurant. On average, the U.S. goes through 76.6 liters of alcohol per capita on St. Patrick’s Day.

That is a lot of people heavily drinking, or binge drinking, and possibly driving home or participating in risky behavior. Binge drinking is defined as men drinking 5 drinks in a two hour period, and women drinking 4 drinks in a two hour period. Binge drinking can lead to numerous health problems, including unintended injuries, alcohol poisoning and cardiovascular diseases.

The best way to prevent injuries or drunk driving accidents is to make a plan beforehand. Find a designated driver and act responsibly. Being sober on St. Patrick’s Day can be a fun and safe celebration.