Special Police Patrols Start Friday In LITH

From the Lake in the Hills Police Department: The Lake in the Hills Police Department announced it will conduct special patrols this St. Patrick’s Day weekend from Friday, March 16th through Monday, March 19th to crack down on alcohol and drug impaired drivers, and reinforce seatbelt safety.

Widely celebrated across the country, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest holidays due to the number of drunk drivers on the road. Drunk driving kills more than 10,000 people each year in the nation, and each of those deaths is preventable.

Designating a sober driver and not letting friends drive drunk are two easy ways to avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for drunk driving. Below are some additional tips.

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

• Remember that you can be held liable and potentially prosecuted if someone you serve is involved in an impaired driving crash.
• Make sure all guests designate a sober driver in advance or help arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers.
• Serve food and provide non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
• Keep the phone numbers for local cab companies handy, and take car keys away from anyone who is considering driving drunk. Any criminal or traffic complaint(s) that have been filed against any individual(s) named herein are only an accusation. All defendant(s) are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. All inquiries regarding this press release are to be directed to the Communications Coordinator at 847-658-5676 unless otherwise noted.

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

• Designate a sober driver ahead of time 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, have a sober friend or family member 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 drunk.
• Always buckle up – it is your best defense in a crash. Pedestrians can be at risk as well. If you are walking, keep an eye out for cars. Designated drivers should also be alert for impaired walkers who may not obey street signs. The Illinois St. Patrick’s Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is funded by federal highway safety funds administered through the Illinois Department of Transportation. Any additional questions can be directed to Ashley Eccles, Communications Coordinator, at 847-658-5676.

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