Delaware Office of Highway Safety announces St. Patrick’s Day enforcement efforts

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety and Delaware State Police will conduct a DUI checkpoint in Sussex County on Friday, March 13, as part of increased impaired driving enforcement ahead of St. Patrick’s Day weekend. (Photo courtesy of Delaware Office of Highway Safety.)

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS), in partnership with the Delaware State Police and local law enforcement agencies, is increasing impaired driving enforcement ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, including a DUI checkpoint planned in Sussex County.

Officials said the Driving Under the Influence (DUI) checkpoint will take place Friday, March 13, as part of the state’s ongoing impaired driving enforcement campaign and in connection with St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

The checkpoint is intended to identify and remove impaired drivers from Delaware roadways while reminding motorists that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and dangerous.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations often involve alcohol consumption, and nationally the holiday has historically seen an increase in impaired driving crashes. Officials said high-visibility enforcement efforts such as DUI checkpoints serve as both a deterrent and a reminder that impaired driving laws are actively enforced in Delaware.

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“Impaired driving remains a serious threat to public safety in Delaware,” said Joshua Bushweller, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security. “Through coordinated enforcement efforts across our state, we are holding impaired drivers accountable and reinforcing that this dangerous behavior will not be tolerated.”

In addition to enforcement efforts, the Office of Highway Safety is offering its St. Patrick’s Day Sober Rides program, which provides ride-share vouchers for people who plan to celebrate and need a safe ride home.

The program will operate during two time periods:

• Noon Saturday, March 14, through 3 a.m. Sunday, March 15

• Noon Tuesday, March 17, through 3 a.m. Wednesday, March 18

Voucher codes will be released at 10 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. on each program day and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Officials are urging motorists to plan ahead by designating a sober driver or arranging transportation if they plan to drink during holiday celebrations.

“Impaired driving is entirely preventable,” said Sharon Bryson, Director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “If you plan to drink, plan your ride home first. Programs like Sober Rides make it easier to celebrate responsibly and ensure everyone gets home safely.”

More information about the St. Patrick’s Day Sober Rides program is available at MySoberRides.com.

Sara Uzer

Sara Uzer is a journalist from Sussex County with more than 15 years of experience as a writer, editor, and community advocate.  She started her career in Washington, DC and has lived in Sussex County for the past five years.