Officials Spread Sobering Message In Bucks Ahead Of St. Patrick's Day

DOYLESTOWN, PA — When District Attorney Matt Weintraub stepped to the podium in the lobby of the Bucks County Justice Center, he had a sobering message to share.

"Unfortunately I come to this press conference with personal experience in loss as a result of a horrific DUI crash on September 13, 1985. And I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was a senior in high school and I lost four of my friends," he said.

"My goal is to never have that happen to anyone again," said Weintraub. "That is an incredibly lofty goal and some may say it's unrealistic, but it's an important goal that we keep striving for," said the DA as he joined members of the Bucks County law enforcement community and their safety partners to strongly urge motorists not to drive impaired during the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday, one of the biggest drinking celebrations of the year.

"With all of our checkpoints and roving DUI patrols, I know that we're making a difference," said Weintraub. "But my hope is, and always will be, that despite the heightened enforcement that we have out on the roads, that one of these times there will be zero arrests for DUI. To me, that means this message of care and concern and warning is getting through to people and they are making better choices and we won't have any mess to clean up.

Warrington Township Police Chief Daniel Friel. (photo by Jeff Werner)

“We understand that people will enjoy themselves on St. Paddy’s Day. But there is no excuse for anyone to drink or do drugs and drive,” Weintraub added. “There are too many responsible options for people to use instead. Use a designated driver, call a cab, call a parent or a friend, use Lyft or Uber, to name a few. Just be safe!”

Joining Weintraub at the podium were Warrington Township Police Chief Daniel Friel, PennDOT Safety Press Officer Krys Johnson, Interim Executive Director of the Pennsylvania DUI Association Leo Hegarty and AAA Mid-Atlantic PA Manager of Public and Government Affairs Jana Tidwell.

“This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday, and that means more parties throughout the weekend,” said Chief Friel. “If you’ve been drinking, make the smart choice to plan for a sober driver to get you and your friends home safely. Don’t let St. Patrick’s Day become an anniversary of a tragic night.”

For the seventh year, Chief Friel said a full DUI checkpoint will take place Friday night, March 17 in the north bound and south bound lanes of Route 611 in Warrington Township.

"Warrington will be joined by our partners in law enforcement from throughout the county," said the chief. "There are at least 10 other agencies involved and close to 3o officers who will be there. We are hoping that the number of DUI arrests is zero. Unfortunately we haven't hit that threshold yet. But we continue to strive for that."

According to PennDOT data, in the Philadelphia region during the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 11 running through 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 20, there were 70 crashes involving an impaired driver, resulting in two fatalities.

“Drunk drivers are a continuing problem on our nation’s roads, especially around days like St. Patrick’s Day,” said PennDOT Safety Press Officer Krys Johnson. “People need to know that they can go out for a night of fun and return home safely by ensuring they have a sober driver take them home. Don’t be the reason someone – including yourself – doesn’t get home.”

Johnson said PennDOT will be partnering with law enforcement agencies throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania over the St. Patrick's Day weekend to conduct extra enforcement details targeting impaired drivers.

"Throughout the celebration there will be a heightened alert. If you are under the influence you will get pulled over," she said. "Don't wait until that happens. Make your transportation decisions now. Designate a sober driver to get you and your friends home safely."

Leo Hegarty, the interim executive director of the Pennsylvania DUI Association, shared some sobering statistics.

Leo Hegarty, the interim executive director of the Pennsylvania DUI Association.

Nationwide in 2020, the latest figures available, Hegarty said 11,654 people died in impaired driving-related crashes. "That was a 14 percent increase over 2019," he said. "In Pennsylvania, in 2021 there were 9,220 DUI related crashes, a 19 percent increase over 2020. The fatalities in 2021 increased six percent to 311, he said.

"The story here is that these deaths, injuries and crashes are 100 percent preventable. It's a conscious decision for someone to imbibe in drugs and alcohol and get behind the wheel of a car," he said. "Municipal and State Police will be out next weekend looking for impaired drivers. Police across the Commonwealth would like nothing better than to have a quiet weekend and have PennDOT report Monday morning that there were zero impaired driver related crashes and zero fatalities. But sadly, we know that will probably not be the case.

"Celebrate responsibly," he said. "Use designated drivers, use ride share services, taxis, your mother, father, your friend. If you're partying somewhere, stay. If you're at a bar and there's a hotel a couple of blocks away, spend the money for a hotel room. If you're hosting a party ask attendees how they plan on getting home. Take their keys ahead of time. Have non-alcoholic options available for designated drivers. Offer plenty of food. I would like nothing more than PennDOT to report a big zero after St. Patrick's Day weekend."

A recent AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds unsafe driving behaviors rose from 2020 to 2021. The most alarming increase was among drivers admitting to getting behind the wheel after drinking enough that they felt they were over the legal limit - an increase of nearly 24%. This is a reversal in the steady declines in these dangerous driving behaviors in the three years from 2018 through 2020.

“Don’t rely on the ‘luck of the Irish’ this St. Patrick’s Day,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic Manager of Public and Government Affairs Jana Tidwell. “Whether you’re attending a house party or pub crawl, if alcohol is part of the festivities make sure you designate a sober driver, use ride share such as Lyft or Uber, or take public transportation to ensure you get home safely. Drunk driving is 100 percent preventable. There’s no excuse.”

AAA Mid-Atlantic Manager of Public and Government Affairs Jana Tidwell.