Community Corner
Police stepping up DUI patrols this weekend
Sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols will be increased through next weekend for St. Patrick's Day.
The luck of the Irish won’t help those who drink and drive on St. Patrick’s Day. Using federal funds distributed through PennDOT, state and local police will conduct impaired-driving enforcement throughout southeast Pennsylvania, which can cost those cited with driving under the influence (DUI) plenty of “green.”
Motorists cited with DUI can face court costs and fines, along with possible jail time, according to TEAM DUI Southeast PA, which is comprised of police officers from numerous departments, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania DUI Association.
PennDOT statistics show that in 2010, there were 26 impaired-driving-related crashes and one fatality statewide on St. Patrick’s Day.
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St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) falls on a Thursday, so some of the enforcement is scheduled during the weekends before and after the holiday.
According to PennDOT, roving DUI patrols are scheduled throughout Chester County from March 17 through March 20.
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Limerick Township police chief William Albany said the department would be conducting roving DUI patrols next weekend.
The Royersford Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for information on its DUI enforcement plans.
PennDOT recommends the following easy steps for a safe St. Patrick’s Day:
- Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home;
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement; and
- If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to their destination safely.
To learn about other unsafe driving behaviors, or how to be a safer driver, visit www.DriveSafePA.org.
Patch thanks PennDOT for the press release on which this article was based.
