Police urge St. Patrick's Day safety

Area police departments urge Central Illinois residents to drive sober or get pulled over this St. Patrick’s Day.

Many will be celebrating with parades and parties featuring green beer and cocktails. Police are stepping up traffic safety campaigns for the upcoming weekend, reminding motorists of the dangers associated with drunk driving and the importance of keeping roads safe.

“Because St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, we anticipate that alcohol consumption will increase both that day and throughout the weekend,” said Livingston County Sheriff Ryan Bohm. “We ask everyone to celebrate responsibly, staring with a plan for a sober ride home before you leave the house.”

Authorities remind the public it is never okay to drive impaired and to designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. If you notice an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement or if you have a friend about to drive impaired, take away the keys and plan to get the friend home safely.

The St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaign is funded by federal traffic safety funds from the National Highway Traffic Safey Administration and administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.