Cops To Ramp Up Patrols To Keep Thanksgiving Safe In Woodridge

WOODRIDGE, IL — Woodridge police plan to increase patrols as Thanksgiving approaches in an effort to keep motorists safe on the roadways.

The safety campaign, which kicks off Nov. 18, will include seatbelt enforcement zones throughout the village, along with extra efforts to identify impaired drivers.

“Wearing your seat belt is second nature for most,” Woodridge Police Department Deputy Chief Tom Stefanson said in a statement.

Stefanson added, “We’re looking for the 7 percent of Illinois motorists who skip this lifesaving step,” citing statistics from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) that show that 93 percent of drivers properly use their seatbelts.

To help ensure a safe holiday, Woodridge police also recommend residents take the following measures if they have been drinking or using drugs:

• Arrange for a sober driver to give you a ride home
• Call a taxi service or take public transportation
• Use a rideshare service
• Call 911 to report impaired drivers
• Wear seatbelts to further protect yourself from impaired drivers

Woodridge’s Thanksgiving safety campaign runs through Nov. 28 and is part of a statewide initiative funded by the IDOT in support of its ongoing "Click It or Ticket Campaign."