St. Patrick's Day patrols
Updated: March 18, 2013
MATTOON -- Safety before celebrating is the number one priority for police this weekend. People all over Central Illinois are getting ready for St. Patrick's Day festivities. But before you head out, police have a reminder they want you to hear.
It's nothing new for officer Ryan Hurst. He's been with the Mattoon Police Department for 8 years, and he just clocked in for the start of a busy weekend.
"We're really gonna focus on seat belt violations and obviously impaired drivers." Hurst said.
He's not the only one. Expect to see a lot more squad cars on the road than usual.
"We get a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation that allows us to bring other drivers in just to allow us to focus on impaired drivers."
Across the state, officials say more than 1,000 roadside safety checks and seat belt enforcement zones will be active.
"As officers we don't enjoy arresting people for DUI's," Hurst said.
Seeing red and blue lights in the rear view might interfere with a driver's night, but on weekends like these, Officer Hurst says those lights could save a life.
"I'd rather write a DUI than work a fatality accident where you're picking people off the road. It's an ugly scene."
During the past 5 years in Illinois, 10 people have died in car crashes on St. Patrick's Day weekend; 3 just last year.
"Me personally, that's the worst part of this job. We see a lot of bad things, but for me personally, that's hard to deal with."
Everyone loves to celebrate, police included.
"My wife and I will go out and enjoy ourselves," Hurst said.
But all they're asking people to do is be safe.
"Just plan ahead."
It's nothing new for officer Ryan Hurst. He's been with the Mattoon Police Department for 8 years, and he just clocked in for the start of a busy weekend.
"We're really gonna focus on seat belt violations and obviously impaired drivers." Hurst said.
He's not the only one. Expect to see a lot more squad cars on the road than usual.
"We get a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation that allows us to bring other drivers in just to allow us to focus on impaired drivers."
Across the state, officials say more than 1,000 roadside safety checks and seat belt enforcement zones will be active.
"As officers we don't enjoy arresting people for DUI's," Hurst said.
Seeing red and blue lights in the rear view might interfere with a driver's night, but on weekends like these, Officer Hurst says those lights could save a life.
"I'd rather write a DUI than work a fatality accident where you're picking people off the road. It's an ugly scene."
During the past 5 years in Illinois, 10 people have died in car crashes on St. Patrick's Day weekend; 3 just last year.
"Me personally, that's the worst part of this job. We see a lot of bad things, but for me personally, that's hard to deal with."
Everyone loves to celebrate, police included.
"My wife and I will go out and enjoy ourselves," Hurst said.
But all they're asking people to do is be safe.
"Just plan ahead."
