SPRINGFIELD — St. Patrick’s Day means parades, parties and lots of green for communities throughout Illinois.
If your celebratory green will go beyond your favorite St. Paddy’s Day T-shirt and hat to include alcohol or cannabis, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and local law enforcement remind you to plan ahead for a sober ride home.
“If you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, make your own luck by designating a sober driver or deciding how you’ll get home safely before you leave the house,” said Cynthia Watters, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Too many people wait until after they’ve become impaired to figure out how they’ll get home, but by then it’s too late to make a coherent decision.”
The St. Patrick’s Day enforcement effort runs through the early-morning hours of March 18.
Throughout this period, the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement will be conducting roadside safety checks, seat belt zones and patrols to enforce DUI, seat belt, speeding, distracted driving and other traffic laws.
To help ensure your St. Patrick’s Day is a happy one, follow these simple tips:
If you are hosting a party:
- Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served is involved in an impaired driving crash.
- Make sure all your guests designate their sober drivers in advance or help arrange ride sharing with other sober drivers.
- Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Keep information on cabs ride-sharing services handy. Take keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving impaired.