Crime & Safety
Kenilworth Police: 'Don't depend on dumb luck this St. Patrick's Day'
Kenilworth Police are hosting a safety campaign for St. Patrick's day March 11 to 17.
The following is a message from the Kenilworth Police Department regarding its safe driving campaign for St. Patrick's Day. "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk This St. Patrick's Day" lasts from March 11 to 17.
For many Americans, St. Patrick's Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family. Unfortunately, due to the large number of drunk drivers, the night out has become very dangerous.
On St. Patrick's Day 2009, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics by the National Highway Trafic Safety Administration.
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Even if you are meeting a few friends at the local pub after work never drive while impaired—and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired. Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk.
This St. Patrick's Day crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds through IDOT's Division of Traffic Safety and runs concurrently with a media campaign that reminds motorists, "You Drink & Drive. You Lose." and " Click It or Ticket."
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The Kenilworth Police Department recommends the following easy steps, for a safe St. Patrick's Day.
- Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
- Before drinking, please 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 so you are sure to get home safely;
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to contact your local law enforcement;
- And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant. Don't depend on dumb luck this St. Patrick's Day. Designate your sober driver before the party begins.
For more information, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.
