Oak Lawn Police Plan St. Patrick's DUI Crackdown

OAK LAWN, IL – The Oak Lawn Police Department has already started cracking down on impaired drivers and seat belt scofflaws in anticipation of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. With a weekend of parades and parties approaching, Oak Lawn police want residents and visitors to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day responsibly. Police will be patrolling the roads through the wee hours of March 18.

Celebrated throughout the country, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to the number of drunk drivers on the road. If you’ll be drinking or using legalized marijuana, plan ahead for a sober ride home.

“We urge our community residents and visitors to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day responsibly,” said Sgt. M. Acke. “We’ll be out in force to keep impaired drivers off the roads and help ensure that everyone makes it home safely.”

Before the green beer starts flowing, remember to designate a sober driver. If you don’t have a designated driver, call a cab, use a ride-sharing service, have a sober friend or family member pick you up, or stay where you are and sleep it off. Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they’re about to drive impaired and always buckle up – it’s your best defense in a crash.

Pedestrians are at risk, too. If you are walking, keep an eye out for cars. If you’re a designated driver, be alert for impaired walkers who may not obey street signs and pedestrian signals. The Illinois “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns are administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation with federal highway safety funds managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.