Chicago Heights Police Join Nationwide Law Enforcement Campaign to Crackdown on Drunk Drivers; Seat Belt Violators this Labor Day Weekend

The Chicago Heights Police Department announced its plans for an intensified traffic enforcement effort this Labor Day Holiday, focusing on impaired/drunken drivers and seat belt law violators.

This stepped-up enforcement will concentrate on deadly nighttime hours, as statistics from the Illinois Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show a disproportionate number of traffic deaths occur between Midnight and 3:00 a.m. as the deadliest time on Illinois roadways.   Further data also shows this time of day has the highest percentage of alcohol involvement and the lowest seat belt usage rate.

“Labor Day weekend is another holiday with increased drunk driving fatalities,” said Police Chief Charles A. Guiliani, Jr. “There are still far too many people who die on our nation’s roadways each year due to those who choose to drive after drinking.  Our police department will have additional officers on the street this holiday weekend directed towards DUI enforcement.”

The Chicago Heights Police Department will join the Illinois State Police and over 200 local police and sheriff’s departments in mobilizing a statewide enforcement effort that runs through Monday, September 3^rd. 

Chief Guiliani recommends two important tips to avoid a potential crash or arrest involving drunk driving, “Always designate in advance a sober driver and do NOT let friends or family members drive drunk.”    

Other important tips include:

• If you are intoxicated, call a taxi, use mass transit or let a sober friend or family member get you home safely.

• Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement by pulling over and dialing 911.

• Make sure everyone in your vehicle wears their seat belt. It’s your best defense against a drunk driver and it’s the law!

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” law enforcement crackdown is funded through IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety and runs concurrently with the “Click It or Ticket” motorist safety campaign.