Libertyville Police Chief Clint Herdegen announced officers will conduct special patrols and will enforce zero tolerance this St. Patrick’s week to crack down on impaired drivers.

“We are reminding everyone this weekend that if you drink and drive in Libertyville this

St. Patrick’s Day, you lose,” Herdegen said. “If you plan on drinking alcohol,

designate a sober driver before the party begins. Be responsible or risk being arrested for

DUI.”

In addition to looking for impaired drivers, Libertyville Police will be stepping up safety belt enforcement, particularly at night when usage rates are lowest.

According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation, over the past five years in Illinois, 15 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes on St. Patrick’s Day. Seven of those fatalities involved a driver who had been drinking alcohol. During the same period, 1,261 people were injured in St. Patrick’s Day crashes. Last year on St. Patrick’s Day in Illinois, one person died in a crash that did not involve a drinking driver.

“Too often, St. Patrick’s Day can be a deadly and dangerous time on our roads because of impaired driving,” said Chief Herdegen. “That is why starting today and running through

March 19th, we will be increasing patrols to catch and arrest anyone who is driving while impaired.”

Herdegen said that always designating a sober driver and not letting friends drive impaired are just two simple steps to help avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for impaired driving. Other important tips include:

If you are hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party:

Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you serve is

involved in an impaired driving crash.

Make sure all of your guests designate a sober driver in advance or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.

Serve food and provide 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 impaired.

If you are attending a St. Patrick’s Day party:

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

impaired.

Always buckle up – it is still your best defense against an impaired driver.

“Driving impaired is a potentially deadly decision and it is against the law. In order to help maintain safe streets and highways in Libertyville, we will show zero tolerance to impaired drivers in our community,” Herdegen said. “So remember, designate a sober driver before the party begins and always buckle up. We want you to have a great St. Patrick’s Day, but we want you to do so safely.”

The law enforcement crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered through IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety.”