Plainfield Police To Increase Patrol For St. Patrick's Day

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield police increase patrols around the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday to strictly enforce traffic laws and stop impaired driving, officials announced.

St. Patrick's Day celebrations "all too often ... turn deadly," according to a Wednesday news release, so officers will participate in "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" and "Drive High, Get a DUI" campaigns beginning Friday and running through March 19, two days after St. Patrick's Day.

The enforcement is paid for using federal traffic safety funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Since St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday this year, police are expecting parties to continue into the weekend. As with every holiday, officers are reminding locals to designate sober drivers if they plan to drink, use cannabis or any other impairing substance.

Drivers aren't the only ones at risk either. Officials said not only should pedestrians keep an eye out for cars, but designated drivers should also be on the lookout for impaired walkers who might not obey street signs.

Ahead of the holiday, police provided a few tips for those celebrating:

• Remember, you can be held liable and 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 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 handy and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving drunk.
• Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your keys.
• Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive drunk.
• Always buckle up.