Berwyn Police Chief James Ritz announced that the Berwyn Police Department will be conducting special patrols this St. Patrick’s Day holiday to crack down on drunk drivers. Un-buckled motorists also will be ticketed.

“We are reminding everyone this weekend to Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket,” Chief Ritz said. “If you plan on drinking alcohol, designate a sober driver before the party begins. 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,” Chief Ritz continued. “That is why starting today and running through March 17th, we will be working overtime saturating our streets on the overnight hours to catch and arrest anyone who is driving drunk.”

In addition to looking for drunk drivers, the Berwyn Police Department will be stepping 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.

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, sober friend or family member 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.