​Help Keep Roads Safe This Holiday Season, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

From Lake In The Hills Police: Lake in the Hills Police are looking for drunk drivers this holiday season as part of a special year-end Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement. “Beginning Dec. 16 and continuing into the New Year, motorists will see stepped-up enforcement to watch for anyone who is driving impaired, distracted or without a seatbelt,” said Sergeant Eric Decker. “We are helping Illinois drive zero fatalities to reality, so we will have zero tolerance for drunk and drug-impaired driving this holiday season.”

Too often, drivers take to the roads after drinking at holiday celebrations. Data shows the decision to drive while impaired can have serious and sometimes deadly consequences. In 2015, 35,092 people in the United States were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and 29 percent (10,265) died in crashes where the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the limit of .08.

“This ought to be the most wonderful time of the year, so we are doing whatever it takes to help save lives by keeping our roads safe,” Sergeant Decker said. "If you choose to drive impaired, you not only risk your safety and that of others, but you will also face serious legal consequences.”

Drunk or drug-impaired driving offenders often serve jail time, lose their driver's license, are charged higher insurance rates and pay dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, cartowing and repairs, and lost wages due to time off work. But the ultimate cost of impaired driving is causing a traffic crash that results in injury or death.

• If you will be drinking, plan on not driving. Arrange for a safe ride home or designate a sober driver before you start the party.
• If you become intoxicated or drug-impaired, do not drive for any reason. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member or use public transportation.
• If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys, take them home or help them arrange a safe way home.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement. Your actions could help save someone's life.

Buckle your seatbelt, regardless of where you are seated. By law, all occupants, in all seating positions, must wear their seatbelt. Remember, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Any Criminal or Traffic Complaints that have been filed against any individual named herein are only accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a Court of Law. All inquiries regarding this Press Release are to be directed to the Office of the Chief of Police unless otherwise noted.

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