QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) -
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 31 percent of all highway fatalities are caused by drunk driving and on holiday's like St. Patrick's day, that number increases.
It's a day of celebration and a day where everyone's Irish, and for restaurant like Kelly's, owner Rod McClean said business has been good.
"It's been busy. Like I said, we had three hundred and 80 people, so that's why we have the tent outside to help with the crowd and bring them in, so yeah it's been a pretty good day," he said.
But whether people are drinking green beer or Irish Car Bombs, they are urged to not drink and drive. As law enforcement patrol the streets, McClean said his staff is also on the lookout.
"Well I think people are more cautious, but we watch people and we always have one or two who get out of control but we take care of them and we have people to drive them home and stuff like that," he said.
Quincy Police Department Patrol Officer Craig Hufford says the department received a grant from the state to put more officers on the street just for this weekend. He said there could be more impaired drivers driving at a time you wouldn't expect.
"I would say during the middle of the day on Sunday when you have all your people. There's more traffic, there's more people. You know church is letting out, more people are getting up and about. I would say that's probably the most dangerous time to drive because there's more people on the road," Hufford said.
According to the Illinois State Police, the penalty for a first time DUI offense could cost thousands of dollars in fines.
