Police Department Encouraging a Safe St. Patrick's Day

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches next week, the Police Department wants citizens to have fun, but also remember that drinking and driving don’t mix. 

Enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day parade or a party, but don’t drink and drive and don’t let others drink and drive.  If you plan to drink, designate a sober driver or use a taxi service to get home safely.  Remember to celebrate responsibly in order to prevent tragedy.

While there were zero fatalities in Iowa over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday (March 17-20, 2016), there were 458 crashes resulting in 756 injuries, of which 16 were serious according to the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau.  The majority of the serious crashes on St. Patrick’s Day happen between midnight and 6:00 a.m.

The Police Department will have extra officers out on St. Patrick’s Day and throughout the weekend to enforce alcoholic beverage laws such as Public Consumption, Public Intoxication, and Possession Under the Legal Age.  Extra police officers will also be on patrol looking primarily for impaired drivers in an effort to make area roadways safer for all drivers.