St. Patrick’s Day is coming up. Couple that with March Madness revelry, and it’s a dangerous recipe for drivers. Police will be increasing traffic patrols that weekend (St. Pat’s falls on a Saturday this year), and for good reason—it is the fourth most-popular drinking holiday in the U.S.
Nearly 30 percent of adults in the country go to a bar, restaurant, or party on St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re among them, you’ll likely be sharing the road with drunk drivers as well as cops on high alert. Remember, the Illinois Vehicle Code is nearly 600 pages long: Police have a wide variety of reasons to pull you over, and on March 17, a faulty taillight is a good enough reason to check if a driver is sober.
What can you do? For one, download a ridesharing app. (Yes, there are Uber drivers in Kankakee County.) A ride home shouldn’t cost more than $20. If you don’t want to spend the extra money, perhaps you should save on the booze at the bar, as well. Next time you’re at Berkot’s, buy a bottle of Jameson for around $25. The same bottle will run you about $80 at a bar.
But if you do go out and pay the 300 percent premium, make sure to get a ride home—from someone sober, even if it adds to the cost of your night. Anything you pay for a ride home will be cheaper than getting pulled over for a DUI.
Be safe this St. Patty’s: stay home or get a ride. Remember, driving just makes you a target. And Erin go Bragh!
