Thanksgiving Drinkers and Seatbelt Scofflaws Beware

The River Forest Police Department has joined a national effort to crack down on seat belt violators and drunken drivers over the Thanksgiving holiday season.

The Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and other local law enforcement agencies are also participating in the Click It or Ticket, Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over campaigns.

In 2013, in the United States, more than 300 people were killed in crashes on Thanksgiving weekend, according to the River Forest Police Department.

“Whether you’re going across town or across the state this Thanksgiving, please make sure everyone in the car is wearing their seat belt,” said chief Gregory Weiss in a statement. “By law in Illinois, everyone must wear a seat belt no matter what seating position. Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing a seat belt and arrest those choosing to drive impaired.”

Visit buckleupillinois.org for more information about the campaigns.