Prairie State Wire

With St. Patrick's Day approaching, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is collaborating with the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement to emphasize the dangers of impaired driving. They are urging individuals to plan ahead by designating a sober driver and using seatbelts.

Steve Travia, IDOT's Director of Highways and Chief Engineer, advises those celebrating to "designate a sober driver before you leave the house." He warns that waiting until after becoming impaired often leads to poor decision-making regarding safe transportation home.

The campaign offers several tips for a safe celebration: ensure guests have designated sober drivers or arrange ride-sharing options, provide ample food and non-alcoholic drinks at gatherings, and never allow an impaired friend to drive. Using public transport or ride-sharing services as alternatives is also recommended.

Col. Chris Owen from the ISP Division of Patrol notes that troopers frequently respond to crashes caused by drunk drivers on this holiday. He stresses that "it's not just your life that's in jeopardy if you get behind the wheel after drinking, but everyone else's on the road as well."

This increased enforcement effort through St. Patrick's Day is supported by federal funds administered by IDOT and aligns with their multimedia campaign "It's Not a Game."