Oswego Police Cracking Down on Drunk Driving for St. Patrick's Day

The following was provided by the Oswego Police Department:

Oswego Police will be conducting a special patrol this St. Patrick’s holiday to crack down on drunk drivers. All unbuckled motorists will also be ticketed.

“We are reminding everyone this weekend to ‘drive sober or get pulled over’ and ‘click it or ticket’,” said Captain Jeff Burgner. “IF you plan on drinking alcohol, designate a sober driver before the party begins. Be responsible or risk a DUI.”

Burger said that too often St. Patrick’s Day can be a “deadly and dangerous time” on the roadways due to drunk driving.

Starting March 14 through March 17 the Oswego Police will be working overtime during daytime and evening hours to catch and arrest anyone who is driving drunk.

In addition to looking for drunk drivers, the police will also be stepping up seatbelt enforcement particularly at night when seatbelt usage rates are lowest.

Burgner said designating a sober driver and not letting friends drive are two simple steps to help avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for drunk driving. Other 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 a drunk driving crash
• 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 and take away the keys from anyone who is thinking of driving drunk

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

• Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your 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
• 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

“Driving drunk is a deadly decision and it is against the law. We will show zero tolerance,” said Burger.

The St. Patrick’s Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered through IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety.