Elgin PD On Drunk Driving: Don't Depend On 'Luck O' The Irish'

ELGIN, IL — The Elgin Police Department is sending a message to community members planning on celebrating this St. Patrick's Day Weekend; "Don't rely on the Luck o' the Irish. Buzzed driving is drunk driving." According to police, all the festivities and green beer drinking can lead to dangerous driving conditions when the fun ends, as 59 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the 2017 St. Patrick's Day period, between 6 p.m., March 16 to 5:59 a.m., March 18.

Because dozens of people were taken from their loved ones, Elgin Police said Sergeant James Lalley is working to spread the message about the dangers of drunk driving. Even one drink can be one too many, so plan ahead of the weekend festivities and remember that buzzed driving is drunk driving.

Tragically, March 17 has become a dangerous holiday on our nation’s roads. Police said according to the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the 2017 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, more than one-third (37 percent) of all motor vehicle crash fatalities involved drunk drivers, and the early hours of March 18 were the most dangerous. Between midnight and 5:59 a.m., when three-fourths (75 percent) of all crash fatalities involved drunk drivers.

Police said according to the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2013 to 2017, over one-third (35 percent) of the drunk-driving fatalities during this holiday period involved drivers who had blood alcohol concentrations way over the .08 limit, with 234 drunk-driving fatalities total.

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Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink, and it should be noted that walking while intoxicated can also be deadly, as police said lack of attention to your surroundings could put your at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.

“St. Patrick’s Day should be a fun holiday for our community members, but we expect everyone to take responsibility for their actions,” said Sergeant Lalley, according to the Elgin Police Department. “Whether you’re driving yourself or your friends, make sure you stay sober or plan for a sober ride home. Remember: It’s not just about you. There are other people on the roads who want to get where they are going safely. Don’t let alcohol cause you to be a risk to yourself and others on the road. Drinking and driving is an act of selfishness. Before you put your keys in the ignition, remind yourself: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. If you feel a buzz, you are in no shape to drive.”