Zero Tolerance for Those Driving Drunk on St. Patrick's Day

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2009 to 2013, 276 people died in drunk-driving crashes over St. Patrick’s Day. Local police are stepping up enforcement to try to prevent those tragedies.

“We are reminding everyone this weekend through St. Patrick’s Day to drive sober and buckle up,” said Sergeant Eric Decker, supervisor of the Lake in the Hills Police Department Traffic Unit said in a written release. “If you plan on drinking alcohol, designate a sober driver before the party begins. Be responsible or risk a DUI.

“Too often, St. Patrick’s Day can be a deadly and dangerous time on our roadways because of drunk driving.”

In addition to ticketing those driving drunk, police are also targeting those who are not using their seatbelts.

“The intensified enforcement effort against drunk drivers and seat belt law violators underscores the disproportionate number of traffic deaths caused by alcohol consumption and failure to buckle up,” Crystal Lake Police Commander Dan Dziewior said.

Algonquin Police Department Deputy Chief Jeff Sutrick said there will be zero tolerance.

“Driving drunk is a deadly decision and it is against the law. We will show zero tolerance,” said Jeff Sutrick in a written release. “So remember, designate a sober driver before the party begins and always buckle up.”

Police also want to caution residents that if they host a party in which someone drinks and gets behind the wheel, they can be held liable. To that end, Crystal Lake Police offer the following tips which resonate long after St. Patrick’s Day:

If you are hosting a party:

• Make sure all of your guests designate a sober driver in advance or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers;
• Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party;
• Keep the phone numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving drunk.

If you are attending a party:

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• Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys;
• If you do not have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home, call a cab, sober friend or family member to pick you up or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober;
• Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while drunk;
• Always buckle up – it is still your best defense against a drunk driver.