DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Joining forces to shine a spotlight on the risks of impaired driving for ‘Operation Sober Shamrock,’ PennDOT District 4 teamed up with the Lackawanna County and Northeast Highway Safety Programs to launch a safety push ahead of St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties.
Community members heard from several speakers, with attendance of eight local police departments.
With St. Patrick’s Day celebrations approaching, officials say concerns about drunk and impaired driving tend to rise. Operation Sober Shamrock aims to promote safety and encourage responsible decisions to help keep the community safe.
PennDOT District 4 Executive Jonathan Eboli said driving under the influence impacts everyone.
“Personally, it impacts families. And really, that’s what we’re trying to make sure everyone understands that it’s not only you that it impacts, it could impact someone that you don’t know and generations to come. So, it is important that people make sure they plan a sober ride home,” said Eboli.
On behalf of law enforcement, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Bob Urban emphasized the consequences of drunk driving and how officers will be monitoring celebrations in the area.
“We’ve seen firsthand the damage that drunk and impaired driving can cause. These crashes are often completely preventable, and the consequences can be devastating for families and communities. Over the coming days, the Pennsylvania State Police, along with our local law enforcement agencies, will have increased patrols throughout the region. Our goal is simply to keep our roadways safe,” said Urban.
Shawn Noonan, Regional DUI Program Administrator with the Pennsylvania DUI Association, said data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows DUI crashes increased by 16% during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period. He said that’s why initiatives like Operation Sober Shamrock are so important.
“In our office in Harrisburg, we have what we call Memorial Garden. It’s victims who senselessly lost their lives as a result of the actions of another. From having a chance to work with people whose families were ruined, whose lives were affected forever, based on the careless actions of other people. Even if this campaign stops one person from driving impaired, it’s worth the potential for saving a life,” said Noonan.
Eboli and Noonan said having a plan before heading out to celebrate is essential, especially making sure you have a safe ride home.
“Making sure that you have apps downloaded on your phone for rideshare services, making sure you have a taxi number stored in your phone, or also making sure that you have a sober friend that’s with you and that they remain sober throughout the event,” said Eboli.
“I like to tell people if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. So, get a ride beforehand. It’ll also stop you from what they call surge spiking. A lot of times the day of, the rates increase dramatically with the options to plan these rides 30 days in advance. You can potentially save yourself money. Have a plan and go out and not have to worry about how you’re going to get home,” said Noonan.
Others who attended today’s Operation Sober Shamrock event included Senator Marty Flynn, District Attorney Brian Gallagher, and representatives from eight police departments across Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.
Those police departments included: Scranton Police, Dunmore Police, Throop Police, Pittston City Police, Hughestown Borough Police, Pittston Township Police, Wilkes-Barre City Police, and Wilkes-Barre Township Police.