Palos Park Police Target Drunk And High Drivers During Holiday Patrols

PALOS PARK, IL — The Palos Park Police Department will be joining law enforcement agencies across the state is monitoring traffic during the Christmas and New Year holiday season for drunk and high drivers. Police in all three Paloses, as well as many other surrounding communities, will ramp up DUI patrols through Jan. 2.

Palos Park police will have all hands on deck to target intoxicated drivers during the holidays, to keep traffic flowing safely and reduce accidents caused by aggressive, reckless, distracted, and impaired driving.

"We want everyone to have a great time with friends and family over the holidays, but to keep everyone safe, we are also urging people to be responsible, make smart choices and plan for a sober ride home,” said Dan Polk, police commissioner for Palos Park.

If you do get into a minor accident, Palos Park police advise you to move your vehicle out of traffic if possible. Also, after the tragic death of a state trooper who was struck by a truck Monday on I-55, remember that Scott’s Law is a thing.

Should motorists encounter a police, fire or EMS vehicle with their emergency lights on, movie aside or slow down to help them get to where they need to be. The same applies to tow trucks or similar vehicles.

Although these tips have been said many times, many ways, they are worth repeating:

• Before you head to the party, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride-sharing service to get home safely.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1.
• Have a friend who is about to drive impaired? Take their keys and help them get home safely.
• Always buckle up.

The holiday enforcement effort is made possible by federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.