Thanksgiving DUI Crackdown Underway in Hinsdale

Be smart out there this weekend, fun-havers. 

The Hinsdale Police Department is increasing DUI and seatbelt enforcement between Nov. 18 and Dec. 1 to crack down on offenders around the Thanksgiving holiday. 

"Year in and year out, Thanksgiving is one of the deadliest holidays due to an increase in drunk-driving fatalities," Chief Bradley Bloom said. "Too many people die each year due to those who choose to drive after drinking, so our officers will be out in full force this Thanksgiving showing zero tolerance for drunk drivers and belt law violators."

The Hinsdale Police Department will join the Illinois State Police and hundreds of police and sheriff’s departments in a statewide enforcement effort.

To avoid a potential crash or drunk driving arrest, the Hinsdale Police Department recommends designating a sober driver and not letting friends or family members drive drunk. Other important tips include:

• Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys;
• If you are drunk, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to 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 is your best defense against a drunk driver.

The law enforcement crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds through IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety. The crackdown runs concurrently with a media campaign that reminds motorists, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket.” 

Source: Hinsdale Police Department press release