STEPHENSON COUNTY, Illinois — The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting special patrols this St. Patrick’s Day to crack down on impaired drivers and encourage people to wear their seat belts. Celebrated throughout the country, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to the number of drunk drivers on the road. Plan ahead for a sober ride home.

Those who don’t have a designated driver should call a cab, use a ride-share service, have a sober friend or family member pick them up or stay where they are and sleep it off. Never let a friend drive impaired and always buckle up — it’s your best defense in a crash.

Pedestrians are at risk too. Be on the lookout for impaired walkers who may not obey street signs and pedestrian signals.

The Illinois “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns are administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation with federal highway safety funds managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.