Lisle Police Set for St. Paddy's Weekend Crackdown

The Lisle Police Department announced that it will conduct special patrols this St. Patrick’s Day weekend to crack down on drunk drivers.

The patrols begin March 14 and run through March 17. Unbuckled motorists also will be ticketed.

"If you plan on drinking alcohol, designate a sober driver before the party begins," Watch Commander Ron Wilke said. "Be responsible or risk a DUI. Too often, St. Patrick’s Day can be a deadly and dangerous time on our roadways because of drunk driving."

In addition to looking for drunk drivers, Lisle police will step up seat belt enforcement, particularly at night when seat belt usage rates are lowest.

Always designating a sober driver and not letting friends drive drunk are just two simple steps to help avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for drunk driving. Here are some other important tips.

If you are hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party:

• You can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you serve is involved in a drunk driving crash

• Make sure all of your 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

If you are attending a St. Patrick’s Day party:

• Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys

• If you do not have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home, call a cab to pick you up, or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober

• Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while drunk

• Always buckle up — it is still your best defense against a drunk driver

"Driving drunk is a deadly decision and it is against the law," Wilke said. "We will show zero tolerance. Remember, designate a sober driver before the party begins and always buckle up."

The St. Patrick’s Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered through IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety.