Saturday St. Patrick's, college breaks brew 'perfect storm'

St. Patrick's Day. On a Saturday. With warm weather. And in the midst of several college spring breaks.

Could it be a quadruple witching hour for binge drinking, dangerous driving and alcohol poisoning?

"St. Patrick's Day on a Saturday scares a lot of law enforcement," Campton Hills Police Chief Dan Hoffman said.

"It's like New Year's Eve on a Saturday night. People take liberties they normally wouldn't. You throw St. Patrick's Day, and Saturday night, and 70-degree weather together - it's a perfect storm."

To weather that perfect storm, numerous suburban police departments will conduct special patrols over the weekend to curb drunken driving.

Efforts will include roadside safety checks where officers will look for impairment and monitor compliance with safety belt and child seat laws.

It's part of the statewide and national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over program.

Two people die every hour in America because of drunken driving, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Every two minutes, someone is injured.

"Statistics show heavy incidence of drinking during holiday periods, especially during St. Patrick's Day," Hoffman said. "So we're more vigilant with extra patrols."

Although imbibing on St. Patrick's Day cuts across generations, police say, there's a special concern for college-age people, who can be more prone to binge drinking.

Durty Nellie's in Palatine is a popular hangout for undergraduates at any time but especially on St. Patrick's Day, when the village holds a parade as well.

"We're planning from the get-go," manager Mark Dolezal said. "We're an Irish pub so we're ready for it, but there's always surprises."

Bar employees are all trained through a statewide program in serving alcohol, and patrons are checked to see if they're of age and are issued wristbands. But Dolezal tells his staff, if you're suspicious "you can always card again."

Beth Sack, manager of addiction services at Linden Oaks Hospital in Naperville, agrees this weekend could bring out the worst in some.

"People are feeling good, it's spring fever," she said. "Unfortunately, on these types of holidays, those who don't drink regularly tend to overindulge."

For those who will be going out on the town, she advises making a plan first. "If you know you'll be drinking make sure you have alternate transportation," she said.

It's also important to avoid drinking quickly or intensely. "Don't do shots or pound beers to get a rush or a buzz," Sack said. "People underestimate how long it takes to metabolize alcohol. Once you hit a state where you're intoxicated, you're not thinking clearly."

The bottom line is "know your limit - don't drink and drive," Palatine police Cmdr. Kurt Schroeder said. "Call a cab - there's plenty of taxicabs in Palatine."

Hoffman has seen his share of fatal drunken driving accidents. "It's a waste of life," he said. "It's a loss of life that didn't have to happen."

Here are some tips from authorities on having a safe and fun St. Patrick's Day celebration.

For party hosts:

Ÿ You can be sued and held liable if a guest is involved in a drunken driving crash.

Ÿ Check that your guests have a designated driver or organize ride sharing with sober drivers. Keep cab company phone numbers handy.

Ÿ Provide plenty of food and nonalcoholic drinks.

For partygoers:

Ÿ Pick a designated driver before starting out or remember to bring the number of a cab company or friend who could pick you up if you become intoxicated.

Ÿ Watch out for friends who become impaired and intend to drive.

Holiday: Party hosts can be held liable for DUI crash