PA Insurance Department, PennDOT Remind Party Hosts and Guests to Celebrate Responsibly During Memorial Day Weekend

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The Pennsylvania Insurance Department and the Department of Transportation today reminded residents who are planning Memorial Day parties to make sure their guests are not over-served alcohol and get home safely.

Hosts should offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverages and food, and stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends.

"While guests should always practice responsible drinking, hosts can be held negligent if a guest is involved in an alcohol-related incident while at your home or after leaving your party," Insurance Commissioner Michael F. Consedine said. "One way to protect yourself is by purchasing a social host liability policy."

Social host liability offers insurance coverage for hosts serving alcoholic drinks to adults. Most policies provide some coverage for claims arising from injuries that may occur in your home and can be purchased for limits ranging from $50,000 to $2 million.

"Last Memorial Day weekend, there were 44 alcohol-related crashes and three fatalities on Pennsylvania roads," said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch, P.E. "We strongly urge people to arrange for a ride home before they begin celebrating, and make sure hosts take the keys from anyone who should not be driving."

Follow these tips to help ensure a safe Memorial Day weekend:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home;
• If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely;
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, immediately contact local law enforcement; and
• If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to reach their destination safely.

Media contacts:
Melissa Fox, Insurance, 717-787-3289
Erin Waters, PennDOT, 717-783-8300

SOURCE Pennsylvania Insurance Department