Designate a Driver: Police Department Increasing Holiday Weekend Patrols

The recently announced its plans for the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” impaired driving and safety belt enforcement crackdown during the holiday period. The intensified enforcement effort to combat late-night impaired driving and safety belt violations underscores the disproportionate number of traffic deaths occurring during late-night hours.

The department will conduct a Roadside Safety Checkpoint along Route 53 on the evening of Dec. 28. Officers will focus their efforts on DUI (driving under the influence) and other traffic safety concerns such as proper occupant restraint usage.

According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the midnight to 3 a.m. timeframe is the deadliest time on Illinois roadways. The data also shows this time of day has the highest percentage of alcohol involvement and the lowest safety belt usage rate.

“The numbers do not lie. We will be stepping up our late-night enforcement efforts, making sure impaired drivers are off the road and motorists are buckled up,” said Watch Commander Randall Johnson.

As just two of several simple steps to avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for impaired driving, Lisle Police Department recommends designating a sober driver and not letting friends and family drive impaired. Other important tips include:

• Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys;
• If you are impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely;
• Use your community’s designated driver program;
• Promptly report impaired drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement;
• Always wear your safety belt and make sure all passengers are buckled up. It is your best defense against an impaired driver.

The law enforcement crackdown runs concurrently with a media campaign that will remind motorists, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket.” The law enforcement crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds through IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety and it runs concurrently with a media campaign that will remind motorists, “You Drink & Drive. You Lose.”  For more information, visit www.drivesoberillinois.org.