Iowa law enforcement planning extra traffic enforcement during St. Patty’s

For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family. Unfortunately, due to the large number of drunk drivers, the nights out surrounding the St. Patrick’s celebration also have become very dangerous.

“Whether you’re meeting a few friends at the local pub after work or attending a St. Patrick’s Day event, if you plan on drinking alcohol, never drive while impaired — and never let your friends drive if you think they’re impaired. ‘Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk’,” said Colonel Patrick Hoye of the Iowa State Patrol.

National Highway Transportation Safety Administration statistics show in 2008, there were 134 crash fatalities on St. Patrick’s Day. Out of that number, 50 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. In Iowa during 2009, there were 373 fatalities, of which 86 were alcohol-related.

In an effort to avoid more loss of life due to drunken driving, Iowa law enforcement agencies — including the Newton and Prairie City police departments and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office — will step up enforcement over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday as part of this year’s special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) from Thursday through Saturday. During last year’s sTEP effort, there were five traffic fatalities that were investigated with two being alcohol-related.

Colonel Pat Hoye with the Iowa State Patrol 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.

• Use your community’s Sober Rides program if one is available.

• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement.

• And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.