St. Paddy's Weekend Roadside Safety Check Planned In Palatine

PALATINE, IL — Palatine Police Department officers will be out in full force over the St. Patrick's Day holiday in an effort to curb drunken driving and encourage seat belt use, according to a news release from the police department. In addition to upping the department's patrol efforts, a roadside safety check will be conducted from the late evening hours on March 13 through the early morning hours of March 14 in the area of Algonquin Roselle roads.

As part of the St. Paddy's Day weekend crackdown, extra uniformed police officers will conduct saturation patrols dedicated to identifying and arresting impaired drivers, as well as strictly enforcing speeding, seat belt, and distracted driving violations, according to a news release from the police department.

Authorities are encouraging residents to follow these tips to stay safe over the St. Patrick's Day weekend:

• Remember, you can be held liable if someone you serve is involved in an impaired driving crash
• Make sure your guests designate a sober driver in advance or help arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers
• Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages
• Download a ride-sharing app on your phone to help partygoers, and keep phone numbers for local cab companies handy
• Take keys away from anyone who is trying of drive impaired

If you’re going out for St. Patrick’s Day

• Designate a sober driver ahead of time, and give that person your keys
• If you don’t have a designated driver, call a cab, use ride-sharing, have a soberfriend 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
• Buckle up – it’s your best defense in a crash.

Pedestrians are at risk, too. Those who are walking are urged to keep an eye out for cars and designated drivers should remain alert for impaired walkers who may not obey street signs and pedestrian signals.

The St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaign is part of the Illinois “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” programs supported through federal funds administered by IDOT.