Authorities ramp up patrols for safe St. Patty's Day

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BY PCC STAFF LEE COUNTY - Local law enforcement agencies are reminding area residents that St. Patrick's Day is a dangerous time on the roads during and after celebrations. In conjunction with the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau, the Fort Madison Police Department and the Lee County Sheriff's Department are encouraging everyone to celebrate safely over the holiday and remember to have a designated driver. St Patrick’s Day is one of America’s favorite holidays and there is a continual a spike in drunk-driving accidents on this day every year. In order to make Iowa roads safer all across the state, drivers will notice heightened traffic enforcement March 14-17, 2018. Law enforcement officers will especially be watching for drunk drivers and vehicle occupants not wearing seat belts. Local police officers and sheriff's deputies along with the GTSB ask that all people drive in a safe and defensive manner. From our point of view, it is better to get to your destination safely without being another statistic. Drinking alcohol and driving do not mix. If you plan on consuming alcohol, you should also plan on not getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Sometimes just that one extra drink can be too many. When going out, always have a designated sober driver or alternative transportation, such as a cab, to get everyone home safely. During the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Law Enforcement Officers throughout the State of Iowa will be out enforcing Iowa’s seat belt, drinking and texting laws, as well as all other traffic laws, in order to ensure a safe driving holiday. So enjoy the sampling of green beer and Rueben sandwiches, however, make good choices and stay safe. The Fort Madison Police Department wishes everyone a safe and joyous weekend.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nationally, during the 2016 St. Patrick’s holiday (the latest year numbers are available) 39% of all vehicle crash fatalities involved drunk drivers. In the hours between midnight and 6:00 a.m. on March 18th, 69% of all crash fatalities involved drunk drivers. Drunk driving is preventable. It is not worth the risk of injury, jail time, your death, or the death of another person. Download the NHTSA app, “SaferRide” before going out to celebrate. The app will allow users to call a taxi or designated friend for a ride home by just identifying their location.
drunk driving, fort madison, GTSB, patrols, Pen City Current, St. Patrick's Day

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